Electric cars up 13 percent in October

In October 2021, 54,300 electric vehicles were newly registered, representing an increase of 13 percent. While battery-powered electric cars were up 32 percent, plug-in hybrids posted a 4.5 percent decline. In the first ten months, new electric registrations increased by 111 percent year-on-year to more than 532,500 units. This included 267,300 battery-powered electric cars (up 120 percent) and 264,800 plug-in hybrids (up 103 percent). They accounted for 24 percent of the total market (up from 11 percent in the same period last year).

Reinhard Zirpel, President of the Association of International Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (VDIK), emphasized: “Electric passenger cars continue to be spared from the downward slide of the overall passenger car market and grew again in October. However, the electric market is currently losing momentum: A growth of 13 percent looks rather modest compared to the previous months. Nevertheless, we expect significant growth for 2021 as a whole. In order to give customers and dealers planning security for 2022 as well, the promised extension of the innovation premium should now be implemented quickly.”

The VDIK regularly updates the list of electric vehicles from international manufacturers. The VDIK member companies currently offer around 140 electric models (including passenger cars and commercial vehicles) that customers can order in Germany. The VDIK electric list can be accessed here.

The overall demand for vehicles with alternative drives has increased in the first ten months. Nearly 905,000 new electric cars, hybrids with and without plugs, mild hybrids and gas-powered passenger cars were registered. That is an increase of 78 percent. In October, sales of passenger cars with alternative drive systems declined overall, but performed significantly better than the market as a whole. Due to the decline in sales of hybrids, around 83,000 new vehicles were registered, 5 percent fewer passenger cars with alternative drives than in the same month last year.

In the overall passenger car market, the balance is shifting toward alternative drive systems. In the first ten months, they accounted for 41 percent of the total market. Pure gasoline engines accounted for 38 percent and pure diesels for 21 percent.