Market decline in May also affects alternative drives

New registrations of vehicles with alternative drives declined in May compared to the previous year. There were 90,619 new registrations of electric cars, hybrids with or without plugs, and gas-powered passenger cars, down 2 percent from the same period last year. The decline in the overall passenger car market in May thus also affects alternative powertrains. In the first five months of 2022, 449,345 new vehicles with alternative powertrains were registered, an increase of 5 percent.

Among alternative powertrains, 52,427 were new electric vehicles in May. This represents a decrease of 3 percent. Their share of the overall market has risen to 24 percent since the beginning of the year. Almost one in four new cars therefore had an electrified powertrain in May. This included 29,182 battery-powered electric cars (up 9 percent) and 23,209 plug-in hybrids (down 15 percent).

In May, 37,450 new hybrids without plugs also hit the roads. They increased by 1 percent. Among the hybrids were 5,970 full hybrids.

Reinhard Zirpel, President of the Association of International Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (VDIK), emphasized: “Passenger cars with an alternative drive system have so far presented themselves significantly better than the overall market. Nevertheless, supply and production bottlenecks are leaving their mark here as well. In the case of electric vehicles, the continuing uncertainty about future subsidy conditions is also causing restraint. Many customers have lost perspective and are therefore hesitant.”

In the months from January to May, around 449,345 new electric cars, hybrids with and without plugs, mild hybrids and gas-powered passenger cars were newly registered, or 44 percent of all new registrations. With 194,080 new registrations, hybrids without plugs represent the largest segment. Battery-electric passenger cars follow with 135,029 registrations. In addition, just under 112,677 plug-in hybrids were newly registered. With an increase of 121 percent, passenger cars powered by liquid gas show the strongest growth, although the volume is low at 6,521.

The VDIK regularly updates the list of electric vehicles from international manufacturers. The VDIK member companies currently offer around 180 electric models (passenger car and commercial vehicle models) 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 drive systems. In the first five months of the year, they accounted for 44 percent of the total market. Gasoline engines accounted for 36 percent. Only one in five new cars is a diesel (20 percent).