E-car sale in Germany: Dramatic decline shocks suppliers!

E-car sale in Germany: Dramatic decline shocks suppliers!

The decline in the sale of electric cars in Germany not only has an immediate impact on the automotive industry, but also on the supplier companies in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). These companies that had relied on a mobility turn are now forced to push up planned investments and to delete bodies. While almost 90 percent of the newly approved vehicles are now electric in Norway, this share in Germany is only 14 percent. The ADAC leads high prices in public charging stations as a decisive factor for low sales in Germany. The constant decline in e-car sales is worrying; In August 2024, according to the European Manufacturer Association ACEA, there was a decline in new registrations by almost 70 percent compared to the previous year, which is also favored by general economic uncertainties.

The sales crisis not only affects individual manufacturers, but also affects the entire industry. Since the beginning of the year, a continuous decline in sales has been recorded, with a dramatic decline in the new registrations of the electric cars in Europe, which decreased by about 44 percent. In addition to the inadequate consumer acceptance, a lack of charging infrastructure, high production costs and restrictions on raw material supply are also major challenges. The ACEA calls for urgent auxiliary measures from the EU to ensure compliance with CO₂ goals by 2025. The European Commission plans to allow new cars with an internal combustion engine until 2035, which increases the pressure on manufacturers to adapt their production lines accordingly.

difficult framework conditions for industry

The year 2023 showed that the market share of battery -electric vehicles is growing continuously and now accounts for 14.6 percent of new registrations, but the challenges remain significant. In cities with weak charging infrastructure, the switch to electric vehicles is significantly more difficult. The German market, however, is fighting a variety of problems: from the lack of charging stations to inadequate buying incentives for consumers.

A restructuring in the automotive industry is inevitable. The Volkswagen Group, which achieved the highest market share in the EU with 26 percent in 2023 in new car registrations, and other large manufacturers such as Stellantis and Renault are increasingly bringing more battery-operated models onto the market. Tesla remains the market leader in the e-car segment and impressively shows that the market for electric vehicles has potential if the correct framework is created.

panoramic view: global challenges

The situation in the United States is also relevant in a worldwide context of increased challenges. In Los Angeles, new fires threaten due to violent winds that have already led to the destruction of over 12,000 houses. At least 16 people have lost their lives and that the authorities fear that the number of fatalities could continue to increase if the affected areas can be safely examined. These natural disasters illustrate the pressing Environmental challenges that we face.

In the political arena, the AfD, meanwhile, causes a stir with the introduction of the term “remigration” into its election program. The term includes mass deportations of people with a migration background. This led to protests during the party congress in Riesa, where violent disputes with the police have occurred.

At the same time, the Bundeswehr plans a comprehensive restructuring by setting up a new division for home protection by April. This will be responsible for national territorial defense and civil-military cooperation. Federal Defense Minister Boris Pistorius underlines the need for these measures in times like this.

This happens in the context of challenges such as a possible mouth and claw disease that was discovered in Saxony. Although no cases are currently known in NRW, farmers are called for vigilance.