FRANKFURT (dpa-AFX) - Car importers in Germany are hoping for a new boost for electric cars from the next German government. If it significantly improves the framework conditions for electromobility, there could be strong growth in battery electric vehicles in the coming year, explains the car association VDIK in Frankfurt.

In the current year, there has been a massive slump in battery electric models following the abrupt end of government subsidies. According to the VDIK, new models at affordable prices and the CO2 fleet limits tightened by the EU could ensure that around 580,000 new battery vehicles are registered in Germany in 2025. This would be around 200,000 more than in the current year and would also exceed the previous high of 2023 with a good 524,000 electric vehicles. Their market share would increase from the current 13 percent to 20 percent. There would also be around 200,000 plug-in hybrids with a combination of electric and combustion engines.

Decline in the overall market possible

The total number of new registrations, including combustion engines, could then rise to 2.85 million cars after an expected 2.82 million in the current year. Without a new electric impulse, a decline in the overall market to around 2.7 million cars is to be expected, says the newly elected association president and former VW manager Imelda Labbé.

E-mobility must be affordable for customers, demanded the new VDIK boss. The price of electricity outside of the private charging infrastructure is key and urgently needs to be reduced so that it pays off for private individuals compared to fossil fuels. Tax benefits should continue to be used in the fleet business. Incentives for everyday use, such as free parking for electric cars in city centers, would also be helpful./ceb/DP/ngu