Ditching Electric Cars: Private Car Owners in Germany Remain Reluctant, According to HUK Coburg's Report
Most Car Owners in Coburg Prefer Fossil Fuel Vehicles Over Electric Vehicles - Majority of Car Owners in Coburg Shy Away from Electric Vehicles
Here's the skinny: Private car owners in Germany are still largely hesitant to hop on the electric vehicle (EV) bandwagon. In the first quarter, a paltry three percent of private vehicle owners opted for a pure electric car, with a mere 0.1 percent growth from one quarter to the next.
C'mon, where's the electric love?
"Electric cars are hardly making any waves in the personal vehicle market," said HUK CEO, Klaus-Jürgen Heitmann, no-nonsense. But not all hope is lost – hybrid engines aren't factored into these figures. As a powerhouse in Germany's car insurance market (around 14 million insured vehicles, ya feel me?), HUK Coburg has the inside scoop: Tons of private car owners are registering new vehicles every year. Now, look at the map: Bavaria, Lower Saxony, and Baden-Württemberg (heavy hitters in the automotive industry) boast a double-barreled dose of e-cars compared to Saxony-Anhalt and Saxony.
But here's the kicker: HUK Coburg's report only covers privately-insured vehicles. The Federal Motor Transport Authority's stats also factor in company vehicles, from bigwigs' company cars to rental rides.
Used car market's on the rise
Why the slow motion of new EVs? According to the report, a thriving used car market might be the culprit: A whopping 61 percent of buyers chose a pre-loved EV when ditching gas engines for electric power in the first quarter.
But used EVs? The jury's still out.
Beyond crunching numbers, a representative YouGov survey (4,222 responses from folks aged 18 and up) reveals a skeptical crowd. So, nearly half (42 percent) think EVs are good to great, but over half (51 percent) shrug them off, stating they ain't all that. And get this: Only 15 percent would embrace EVs in principle. And guess what? Sixty percent were a bunch more leery of nabbing a used EV than a gas guzzler.
- Car
- Coburg
- HUK
- Electromobility
- Germany
- Vehicle
- Electric car
A deeper dive:
While the results don't provide a clear-cut answer as to why private car owners aren't fully embracing EVs, they do shed light on trends and challenges in Germany's EV market.
- Market Growth: Despite a 53.5% surge in EV registrations in April 2025 compared to the previous year, concerns about adoption rates may stem from aspects such as inadequate infrastructure, steep costs, or consumer preferences not fully captured in these stats.
- Charging Infrastructure: Although Germany's charging infrastructure has seen impressive growth (a 39% increase in charging points and a 25.4% boost in installed charging power from 2023 to 2024), regional disparities and inadequacies could still hinder adoption rates.
- Market Dynamics: The rise of competitors like BYD and the decline of Tesla's sales suggest a dynamic market where brand loyalty and consumer preferences play big roles, potentially impacting the pace of adoption.
- Pricing and Incentives: Issues such as vehicle pricing, government incentives, and perceived value for money could also factor into adoption rates. However, the average price of battery electric cars in Germany wasn't detailed enough to gauge its effect on adoption.
"In Germany's evolving car industry, the growth of electric vehicles (EVs) seems to be moving at a snail's pace, as private car owners show reluctance towards embracing EVs, according to HUK Coburg's report."
"Despite the concerns, the used car market could potentially influence the slow adoption rate of new electric vehicles, with a staggering 61% of buyers opting for pre-owned EVs when switching from gas-powered cars in the first quarter."
