The Germans know good cars and engineering, which probably explains why huge numbers of Germans are ditching their electric vehicles are going back to cars with combustion engines.
At a glance:
- One in three electric vehicle (EV) owners in Germany switched back to gasoline or diesel cars this year.
- Demand for electric vehicles is declining, with only 3.6% of internal combustion engine (ICE) drivers switching to electric cars.
- Germany’s electric vehicle transition faces challenges, with Chinese imports undercutting European manufacturers and declining consumer interest.
Germany’s transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is facing setbacks as more drivers are giving up on electric cars and returning to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Data from Germany’s largest car insurer reveals that 34% of EV owners switched back to gasoline or diesel-powered cars this year, a sharp increase from 14% in 2021. This trend reflects growing dissatisfaction among those who initially adopted electric cars but found them unsuitable for their lifestyles.
While Germany aims to phase out the sale of nearly all new ICE vehicles by 2035, there is considerable resistance from the public. A survey showed that only 18% of Germans would consider purchasing an electric vehicle for their next car, and 29% said they would only switch to electric if legally required. Actual behavior further underscores this reluctance, with just 3.6% of ICE drivers making the switch to electric this year.
The declining demand for EVs is not limited to Germany, as similar trends are seen across Europe. In Germany, demand for electric vehicles has fallen by nearly 29%, and the country’s ambitious green energy transition is facing challenges from both consumers and auto manufacturers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6w0T3_6vtQ
German automakers, including Mercedes-Benz, have invested heavily in battery technology, but weak sales and competition from cheaper Chinese imports have forced them to reconsider their all-electric plans. Earlier this year, Mercedes-Benz scaled back its goal of becoming fully electric by 2030, signaling that ICE vehicles will still be produced into the next decade.
To counter the threat of Chinese imports, the European Union recently imposed tariffs of up to 35% on Chinese electric vehicles. While this may offer some protection for European car manufacturers, it could also slow the transition to EVs by limiting access to cheaper models that might attract more buyers.
As Germany moves toward its goal of banning most ICE vehicle sales by 2035, the government faces the challenge of convincing a skeptical public and addressing the practical concerns of those who have already experienced the limitations of electric cars.
