Electric Vehicle Output Surges in Germany Despite Overall Auto Industry Slowdown
Germany produced a record 1.22 million battery-electric vehicles (EVs) in 2025, a 15% increase from the previous year, meaning nearly one in three cars manufactured was fully electric, according to the German Automotive Association (VDA). When combined with a sharp 54% rise in plug-in hybrid production, total electrically powered vehicle output reached 1.67 million units out of 4.1 million cars. This made Germany the world’s second-largest EV producer after China and ahead of the United States. VDA President Hildegard Müller praised the progress toward climate-neutral mobility and urged the government to continue EV subsidies while expanding charging infrastructure, electricity grids, and access to critical raw materials.
Despite strong EV growth, Germany’s broader car industry continues to struggle. Overall vehicle sales remain 22% below pre-pandemic levels, and total car production fell 9% in January 2026 compared to the previous year. However, domestic registrations of new electric vehicles rose by 24% during the same month, signaling rising consumer demand. The industry also faces intense competition from cheaper Chinese EVs, which have captured significant market share, while German automakers have successfully lobbied for a potential softening of the EU’s planned 2035 ban on new combustion engine cars. (webDesk)
