Over 10,000 new electric cars in March
In Germany, 10,329 pure electric cars (BEV) were newly registered in March. This is an increase of 56 percent compared to the same month last year. There were also 9,426 plug-in hybrids (plus 208 percent). According to the Federal Motor Transport Authority, this means that almost 20,000 new electric vehicles were registered in March.
Since the beginning of the year, more than twice as many electric vehicles have been newly registered as in the same quarter of the previous year, namely 52,449 (plus 125 percent). These included 25,975 BEVs and 26,419 plug-in hybrids. Electric vehicles achieved a 7.5 percent share of the total market in the first quarter of 2020.
Reinhard Zirpel, President of the Association of International Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (VDIK) emphasized: “The boom in electric vehicles will continue for the time being. In March, the higher environmental bonus took full effect for the first time. The strong growth should not hide the fact that Corona will also have an impact on electric mobility. The crisis could at least partially slow down the current momentum.”
The VDIK member companies currently offer over 60 electric models. A list of electric vehicles from international manufacturers can be found here. Zirpel went on to emphasize: “Despite the great challenge posed by the corona virus, we are keeping a close eye on the goal of helping electric mobility achieve a breakthrough.
Overall demand for vehicles with alternative drive systems also rose sharply in March: 39,673 new passenger cars with alternative drive systems were registered, including electric vehicles, plugless hybrids, mild hybrids (48 volts) and gas-powered cars. The increase is 55 percent. Since the beginning of the year, there have been 117,884 units. As a result, cars with alternative drive systems achieved a 16.8 percent share of the total market in the first quarter, compared with just under 9 percent in 2019.
Since the beginning of the year, 2,137 new CNG cars have also hit the roads. More than three quarters of the vehicles come from international manufacturers (76 percent).
| March | January – March | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Units | +/- (%) | Units | +/- (%) | Share of total car market | International brands (VDIK) | |
| BEV | 10,329 | 56 | 25,975 | 63 | – | 34 |
| PHEV | 9,426 | 208 | 26,419 | 258 | – | 32 |
| FCEV | 20 | 43 | 55 | 28 | – | 100 |
| Electric Vehicles (total) | 19,7755 | 104 | 52,449 | 125 | 7.5 | 33 |
| HEV | 19,309 | 32 | 63,121 | 55 | – | 44 |
| CNG | 507 | 9 | 2,137 | 119 | – | 76 |
| LPG | 82 | -90 | 177 | -93 | – | 90 |
| Alternative Drivetrains (total) | 39,673 | 55 | 117,884 | 75 | 16.8 | 40 |
Glossary
Electric vehicles: BEV, PHEV and FCEV
BEV, Battery Electric Vehicle
PHEV, Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle
FCEV, Fuel Cell Vehicle, hydrogen vehicle
HEV, Hybrid without plug or non-rechargeable
CNG, Compressed Natural Gas
LPG, Liquified Petroleum Gas