While major markets, including the United States and China, reported growth in electric vehicle sales throughout 2024, the same thing can not be said about Germany. In fact, sales of EVs plunged in the country last year, falling by 27.4%, as important subsidies were cut and the German economy struggled. According to one analyst, 2024 represented a “lost year for electro-mobility” in the country.
Germany is Europe’s largest and most important car market, but the figures don’t make for easy reading. In total, only 380,609 new battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) were sold in the country last year, a sharp fall from 2023’s numbers and a slump that dragged EV market share down to just 13.5%. For a country often regarded as a bellwether for automotive trends in Europe, it’s a bleak showing.
That of hybrids in the middle of the recession of EV
While electric cars were struggling, classic hybrids have had a much rosier year in Germany. Hybrid sales increased by 12. 7%, with 947,398 examples. This represents a percentage of 33. 6% of all new cars sold. Plug-in hybrid sales also rose in the calendar year, expanding 9. 2 percent to 191,905 units. Despite this jump, they still have a relatively low percentage of 6. 8% of the market.
Fuel cars remain the non-unusual maximum motorcycle organization in Germany, accounting for 35. 2% of all sales. Last year, 991,948 were sold, representing a gain of 1. 4%. Sales of diesel cars slowed 0. 7%, with 483,261 sets, enough for a percentage of 17. 2%.
The main explanation of why for the fall in sales of electric cars throughout the country was the debatable government resolution to reduce subsidies at the end of December 2023. Local buyers had already been presented to € 4,500 (~ $ 4700 ) The ‘purchase of an EV, while brands would get € 2250 (~ $ 2,300). The Local Transport Minister, Volker Wissing, sought to see the electric vehicle market in its two feet without government help, however, things were not transmitted in this way, at least not in 2024.
READ: EV sales dive 22% in Germany, Tesla Stalls 55%, hybrids gain 20% in November
However, all hope is not lost for Germans hoping for help to obtain an EV. The country elects a new leader on Feb. 23 and Chancellor Olaf Scholz said a new program may be introduced at European Point. Several politicians have joined the chorus, arguing that the auto industry wants more assistance, especially since the EU moves forward with its plans to ban the sale of new combustion cars in the future years.
Winners and Losers in the Brand Race
Amid the turmoil, Germany’s auto market saw a mix of triumphs and tragedies among automakers. Unsurprisingly, Volkswagen held its dominant position, selling 536,888 cars (a 3.4% increase) and capturing a 19.1% market share. But not everyone shared in the good news. Tesla, for example, took a massive hit, with sales dropping 41% to just 37,574 units—proof that even the electric giant isn’t immune to subsidy cuts and economic uncertainty.
Meanwhile, Toyota experienced an impressive construction of 27% in sales, reinforced through its upper hybrid range, and Peugeot recorded a large 44% building. On the other hand, luxury brands such as Audi (-18. 1%) and BMW (-0. 1%) had profit problems, while small players such as Polestar (-49. 4%) and through D (-30. 2%) in electricity sales loose cars in loose fall.
Even smaller players in the market experienced widely contrasting outcomes. Lexus saw a remarkable 75.3% jump in sales, while Aston Martin (-46%) and Maserati (-48.3%) faced sharp declines. Surprisingly, some startups like Lucid delivered attention-grabbing results despite extremely modest volumes, with 392 units sold—a 296% surge—indicating that there’s still a niche audience willing to invest in ultra-premium electric vehicles, even amid a challenging market.