In Germany, more than one out of three new cars is now 100% electric! Yes, but...
The German automobile market has just reached a new milestone. In September 2026, fully electric models accounted for 34.5% of new car registrations, setting a historic record. The government’s support measures seem to be paying off, with some automakers benefiting particularly from them.
Germany is showing a strong renewed interest in electric vehicles. After a much more difficult period, especially following the sudden cancellation of incentives at the end of 2023, Europe’s largest automobile market is now achieving levels of electrification never seen before. September 2026 marks a significant acceleration in this transition.
A new record at 34.5%
According to figures from KBA, the registration authority in Germany, 88,599 fully electric cars were registered among our German neighbors in September 2026. This is almost twice the number from September 2025, representing a 94.7% year-on-year increase. Electric vehicles thus accounted for 34.5% of the German market, a record level that surpasses the previous high of 33.2% recorded in December 2022.
At that time, the figure was inflated by a surge in registrations just before the reduction in purchase subsidies. This time, the trend seems more sustained. Since the beginning of the year, 604,144 electric cars have been registered in Germany, marking a 58% increase. Their market share reached 27.2% in the first nine months of 2026, indicating a genuine upward trend!
Gasoline and diesel sales drop sharply
The contrast with internal combustion engines is striking. In September, registrations of gasoline cars fell by about 29% year-on-year, while diesel car registrations dropped by 20%. These two engine types now account for only 17.4% and 9% of the market respectively—historically low levels.
Rechargeable hybrids added another 27,681 registrations. Including BEVs, PHEVs, and a few fuel cell models, 45.3% of new cars registered in Germany in September had a rechargeable electric powertrain. We are slowly approaching 50%...
Chinese brands benefit
The return of government incentives for purchases clearly plays a role in this acceleration. But not all manufacturers benefit in the same way.
According to EY, Chinese automakers have seen their registrations rise by 80%, now accounting for 8.4% of the German market. Some have achieved impressive growth rates: BYD, for example, saw a 262.1% increase, while Xpeng experienced a 278.6% rise over the past year. Tesla also showed strong performance with a 268.7% increase.
This success highlights the effectiveness of government subsidies, but it also reveals their downside—indeed, a significant portion of German public funds now seems to benefit foreign automakers, particularly those from China.
