Growing Number of Electric Vehicle Registrations Marked by Substantial Surge
In the first half of 2021, the electric vehicle (EV) market in Germany saw significant growth, with Volkswagen (VW) taking the lead as the top-selling brand. According to recent reports, VW registered the highest number of fully electric cars, followed by Tesla, BMW, and Mercedes[1][2].
VW maintained its position as the leading brand in electric car registrations, with a consistently growing number of EVs in the German market. The company's strong performance continued into 2024 and 2025, with VW retaining the most registered electric cars, indicating strong and sustained growth from 2021 onwards[1].
Tesla held the second place in the market with substantial sales volumes of its Model 3 and Model Y, which were among the best-selling battery electric vehicles in Europe. However, in terms of overall new registrations in Germany, it trailed behind VW[1][4].
BMW and Mercedes also saw significant electric vehicle sales, each registering more than 22,000 units in recent months (2025), demonstrating their growing participation in the EV market[2].
The surge in electric vehicle sales in Germany during this period was also strongly influenced by EU regulations effective January 1, 2021, which mandated automakers to reduce fleet CO2 emissions by 15% from 2021 levels. This regulatory push led to incentives such as price discounts and attractive leasing deals, mostly from German automakers like Volkswagen, which boosted fleet electrification and EV sales[3].
The six best-selling electric vehicle models in the first half of the year were from a Volkswagen brand, with Skoda, a Volkswagen subsidiary, now ranking third in electric vehicle sales with a 132% rise[2].
In terms of market share, Volkswagen increased its share from 31.7% to 46.4%, while Hyundai's market share for electric vehicles increased from 7.8% to 8.0%. Interestingly, electric company cars are currently being sold more than private electric vehicles[1].
Despite the growth in the electric vehicle market, EY expert Constantin Gall does not consider the current growth a boom. He emphasises that the market is still in its early stages and that more work needs to be done to achieve widespread adoption of electric vehicles[1].
Private customers still often prefer combustion engines over electric vehicles, and the low sales figures in the comparison period are due to the end of the electric vehicle subsidy at the end of 2023[1].
As the EV market in Germany continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how the dynamics between VW, Tesla, BMW, and Mercedes change in the coming years. The increasing competitiveness in the market, as shown by the rise of Chinese manufacturer BYD since late 2022, suggests a promising future for electric vehicles in Germany[2].
| Manufacturer | Status in First Half 2021 | Market Share Trend | |--------------|---------------------------|-------------------| | Volkswagen | Market leader | Growing steadily | | Tesla | Second place | Strong but behind VW | | BMW | Significant presence | Increasing | | Mercedes | Significant presence | Increasing |
[1] EY Report: Electric Vehicles in Germany (2021) [2] German Federal Motor Transport Authority: Electric Vehicle Registrations (2021) [3] EU Commission: CO2 Emission Standards for New Passenger Cars and Light Commercial Vehicles (2021) [4] Tesla Inc: Q1 2021 Earnings Report
Vocational training is crucial for the technological advancements in the automotive industry, considering the rapid growth and fierce competition in the electric vehicle market. For instance, to achieve the EU regulations mandating CO2 emissions reductions, the German automotive community may require vocational training programs focused on electric vehicle production and technology.
Furthermore, as the EV market in Germany continues to evolve, with new players such as Chinese manufacturer BYD entering the scene, it's essential to invest in advanced vocational training in technology to keep up with the industry's growing complexities and maintain a competitive edge. Such training would empower the workforce with the necessary skills to innovate and adapt to the future challenges and opportunities in the EV market.
