Reason behind the Permission of Electric Vehicles by VW Corporation
In the first half of 2025, Germany witnessed a significant surge in electric car registrations, with a 35% increase compared to the same period last year. This growth, according to industry expert Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, is primarily due to the falling prices of electric cars and the introduction of new, more affordable models.
The rise in electric vehicle (EV) sales reached a record-breaking 248,726 units, accounting for 17.7% of all new vehicle registrations. This increase occurred amidst a broader decline in overall vehicle registrations, which decreased by 4.7%.
Experts attribute this growth to new EU emissions targets and the launch of cheaper electric models, which have naturally stimulated consumer demand. Market data shows healthy sales of popular models such as Volkswagen's ID.7, which was the best-selling electric car model in Germany in early 2025.
The broader European context also confirms that EV sales are rising despite total car sales falling, which aligns with increased consumer preference for electric vehicles. This trend suggests that the growth in EV registrations is not merely a result of manufacturers registering cars for compliance or other artificial purposes.
However, there is evidence to suggest that some self-registrations by vehicle manufacturers, importers, and dealers may be taking place. The number of self-registrations increased significantly, with around 29,000 more passenger cars registered than in the previous year.
Despite this, Dudenhoeffer, the founder of the Center Automotive Research (CAR) institute in Bochum, believes that the alleged manipulation by manufacturers with self-registrations is "a bit overstated".
Meanwhile, the demand from business customers for new cars decreased significantly, with 59,000 fewer cars sold compared to the previous year in this segment. Sales to car rental companies and the vehicle trade also declined, with decreases of 7.5% and 9% respectively.
Auto expert Frank Schwope suggests that politics should keep the framework conditions stable to avoid unsettling the automotive industry and car buyers. Schwope believes that if politics doesn't intervene in the developing electric car market, it will develop positively on its own.
In conclusion, the record EV registrations in Germany in 2025 primarily reflect genuine market demand growth rather than being driven predominantly by manufacturer self-registrations. The trends and expert explanations point to a genuine increase in consumer interest and market uptake of electric vehicles in Germany this year.
Traveling to work or going on a road trip may become more technologically advanced as electric vehicles (EVs) continue to gain popularity. Without intervention from politics, the sharp rise in EV registrations in Germany in 2025 suggests a positive development in the electric car market driven by genuine consumer demand and the introduction of affordable, new EV models.
