Alternative drives increase by 25 percent in October

New registrations of vehicles with alternative drives increased by 25 percent in October. About 5 percent more new electric cars, hybrids with and without plugs, mild hybrids and gas-powered passenger cars were registered in the first ten months of this year, totaling nearly 952,000 vehicles.

In October, 35,781 new battery-electric passenger cars hit the roads, an increase of 17 percent. Plug-in hybrids recorded a 35 percent increase with 32,064 new registrations. As these vehicles are only eligible for the environmental bonus until the end of 2022, there is currently a final spurt here. Since the beginning of the year, more than 308,282 battery-electric passenger cars have been newly registered (plus 15 percent). In addition, more than 247,791 plug-in hybrids were newly registered (down 6 percent).

In addition, 36,469 new hybrids without plugs hit the roads in September (up 32 percent). This corresponds to almost one-fifth of all new passenger car registrations. Among the hybrids, 6,091 were full hybrids, 96 percent of which came from VDIK brands.

The highest growth rates in the first ten months of the year were recorded by passenger cars powered by liquid gas, which increased by 71 percent to 12,331 units. In addition, 666 new fuel cell cars were registered (up 69 percent). 99 percent of these new hydrogen passenger cars are from international brands.

The VDIK regularly updates the list of electric vehicles from international manufacturers. The VDIK member companies currently offer around 180 electric models (passenger cars and commercial vehicles) that customers can order in Germany. The VDIK electric list can be accessed here.

In the overall passenger car market, the weighting continues to shift in the direction of alternative drives. In the first eight months of this year, they accounted for 46 percent of the total market. Gasoline engines accounted for 35 percent and diesel for 19 percent.