Is there a growing affection among Germans towards electric vehicles?

Is there a growing affection among Germans towards electric vehicles?

Growth in Germany's Used Electric Car Market

The used electric car market in Germany is experiencing a significant surge, driven by a combination of factors including increased new electric vehicle (EV) registrations, consumer demand for sustainable mobility, and government efforts to reduce CO2 emissions.

In 2025, new EV registrations in Germany saw a substantial increase, with battery electric vehicles (BEVs) up by nearly 45% year-over-year and EVs including plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) claiming substantial market share [1][2][3]. This growth has naturally expanded the pool of used electric cars entering the market.

Key factors driving this growth include strong new EV sales, environmental regulations and consumer incentives, and increasing consumer awareness and interest in electric mobility solutions. Germany leads Europe in new BEV and PHEV sales volume, representing over 20% of all-electric vehicle sales in Europe in early 2025 [3].

Industry responses to battery lifespan, residual values, and transparency concerns are also playing a crucial role in the growth of the used EV market. Manufacturers and dealers are offering battery health diagnostics and warranties to assure buyers about battery condition, and dealers provide detailed vehicle history reports, including battery health status, to consumers. Certified pre-owned programs for EVs often include battery guarantees to support residual values [1][2][3].

Despite the growth in the used EV market, large, powerful electric SUVs are difficult and slow to sell in the used car market. Compact electric models with realistic everyday usability perform much better [1][2][3].

The exact details of battery warranty lengths or specific programs vary by manufacturer and dealer, but building consumer trust through transparency and reliable battery performance data is crucial to sustain growth in the used EV market [1][2][3].

Many people are feeling a strong technology enthusiasm towards electric mobility. Among new car buyers, 34% would choose an electric car, 25% prefer a gasoline car, and almost as many favor a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). However, the majority of German car drivers have no personal experience with electromobility, with only a quarter having ever sat behind the wheel of an electric vehicle [4].

Affordable vehicles and charging prices, fewer discounts, and more trust, less uncertainty, and more transparency are key to widespread acceptance of electric mobility. Social leasing is being discussed as a way to give households with lower incomes access to electromobility. Creating incentives to try out electric mobility, such as short leasing periods, car subscriptions, test fleets, or buying used cars, is important to establish trust and a stable used car market for electric vehicles [4].

The market for used electric cars is small, with many vehicles coming from commercial leasing fleets and being sold through dealers, not directly from private individuals. The leasing rate in the private market for electric vehicles is consistently low, below 25%, and for used cars, it's only 2% [4].

For many people, the way to an electric car goes via the used electric car. The issue of range is almost no longer a topic for many used car buyers. Electric mobility has surpassed internal combustion engines in the German car market for the first time, as revealed by Martin Endlein in an episode of "eMobility Insights" [5].

References:

[1] Statista (2025). "Used electric cars in Germany." https://www.statista.com/statistics/1266048/used-electric-cars-germany/

[2] Bundesverband der Deutschen Automobilindustrie (2025). "Electric mobility in Germany." https://www.vda.de/en/topics/electromobility/

[3] European Automobile Manufacturers Association (2025). "New electric vehicle registrations in Europe." https://www.acea.be/statistics/new-registrations/electric-vehicle-registrations/

[4] DAT Barometer (2025). "Electric mobility in Germany." https://www.dat-barometer.de/en/

[5] Martin Endlein (2025). "eMobility Insights" podcast. Available on Spotify, Apple, Amazon Music, and YouTube.

1. The surge in the used electric car market in Germany is not only driven by new electric vehicle registrations, but also by the rising demand for sustainable lifestyle choices and the growth of technological innovations in electric-vehicles.
2. As both new and used electric vehicles gain traction in the German market, the technology sector is expected to play a significant role in addressing concerns about battery lifespan, residual values, and transparency to foster further expansion of the used electric-vehicle market.

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