The latest figures from the Federal Motor Transport Authority (Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, KBA) indicate a concerning trend in the automotive industry, particularly regarding electric vehicle (EV) registrations. In November 2024, the total number of newly registered passenger cars remained relatively stable, showing only a slight decrease of 0.5% compared to the same month the previous year. However, the situation for fully electric vehicles, known as battery electric vehicles (BEV), is markedly different, with registrations experiencing a significant downturn.

During November 2024, only 35,167 fully electric vehicles were registered, marking a dramatic decline of 21.8% when compared to November 2023. This corresponds to a mere 14.4% share of total vehicle registrations, a notable drop from the 18.3% recorded throughout 2023. Cumulatively, for the first eleven months of the year, there were 347,048 electric vehicles sold, reflecting a staggering decrease of 26.1% from the previous period. Analysts predict that the trend may not improve in December, but sales are expected to recover in the coming year as manufacturers ramp up production to meet EU carbon dioxide emission regulations, which could otherwise result in substantial fines.

Leading Manufacturers in Electric Vehicle Registrations

In terms of individual brands, Volkswagen led the market in electric vehicle registrations for November 2024, with a total of 6,842 units sold. The ID.7 model was particularly successful, accounting for 2,613 of those registrations, followed by the ID.4/ID.5 at 2,394 and the ID.3 at 1,198 units. Skoda's Enyaq emerged as the best-selling electric vehicle for the month.

BMW followed with 4,596 newly registered electric vehicles, featuring models such as the 4 Series, 5 Series, and X1 performing similarly well. Mercedes-Benz recorded 3,907 registrations, primarily driven by the GLA and GLB models. Tesla, a major player in the EV market, registered 2,208 units, with the Model Y being the most popular choice at 1,796 units. Notably, the Model Y has also claimed the title of the best-selling electric vehicle for the year, with 26,657 registrations thus far.

Hybrid Vehicles on the Rise

Contrasting the decline in fully electric vehicles, hybrid vehicle registrations are experiencing robust growth. The number of newly registered hybrid cars surged by 20.3% in November, reaching 94,554. Meanwhile, traditional gasoline-powered vehicles saw a decrease, with 77,352 registrations, down by 5.4% compared to the previous year. Diesel vehicle registrations also fell, totaling 36,510, which represents a 7.5% decline.

Among hybrid models, the market's dynamics are shifting, with consumers increasingly gravitating towards hybrid solutions as a transition from conventional vehicles to fully electric options. This trend highlights the ongoing evolution in consumer preferences in the automotive sector.

Challenges for Chinese Manufacturers

Chinese manufacturers continue to lag behind their European counterparts in the EV market. In November, Skoda reported 3,112 newly registered electric vehicles, with the Enyaq dominating the sales figures. BYD, the leading Chinese manufacturer, managed a modest 406 registrations.

As the automotive industry navigates these turbulent waters, stakeholders are keenly observing how regulatory pressures and consumer preferences will shape the future landscape of vehicle sales. The current data underscores the challenges faced by electric vehicle manufacturers and the shifting dynamics within the market.