E-mobility: More and more electric cars in Europe

The number of new registrations of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has recently increased significantly in most European Union countries. This is shown in the following graphic based on data from the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA). Germany saw the highest number of new electric vehicle registrations in 2021, with approximately 356,000 vehicles, representing an increase of around 83 percent compared to 2020. In Italy, Sweden, and Austria, the increase even exceeded 100 percent. The graphic only shows the countries with the highest number of new registrations in 2021 – but other countries also recorded strong growth. These include Finland, Romania, and Greece.

According to the latest figures, just over one million electric cars (purely battery-powered electric cars and plug-in hybrids) are on German roads. Their share of the total number of passenger cars in Germany is thus 2.1 percent (as of October 2021). The number of electric vehicles has increased significantly in recent months. This is due to the fact that the German government recently increased the subsidy for electric cars as part of an economic stimulus package: The federal government now contributes €6,000 towards the purchase of battery-electric or fuel cell vehicles with a net list price of less than €40,000. Together with the manufacturer's subsidy of €3,000, this results in a total purchase premium of €9,000. Private individuals, companies, companies with municipal participation, foundations, corporations, and associations are eligible to apply. However, the subsidy program for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids is currently being reformed. Therefore, from January 1, 2023, the environmental bonus will only be available for vehicles that demonstrably have a positive climate protection effect, defined exclusively by an electric driving share and a minimum electric range.

The infrastructure of fast-charging points for electric cars varies considerably across Germany. As the graphic, based on data from the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), shows, in poorly equipped registration districts, sometimes more than 1,000 electric cars have to share a single fast-charging station. The Plön district has the worst infrastructure: here, there is only one fast-charging point, which all 1,455 registered electric cars there have to share. In the Calw district, there are two fast-charging stations for 2,614 electric cars – meaning there are 1,307 electric cars per fast-charging station. The best ratio of electric cars to fast-charging points is in the Altenburger Land district, with 24.6 electric cars per fast-charging point (468 electric cars and 19 fast-charging points).

The number of new registrations of purely battery-powered electric vehicles (BEVs) has recently increased significantly in most countries of the European Union. This is shown in the following chart based on data from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA). Most electric cars were newly registered in Germany in 2021. At around 356,000 vehicles, the increase compared to 2020 is around 83 percent. In Italy, Sweden and Austria, the increase is even above the 100 percent mark. The chart only shows the countries with the most new registrations in 2021 – but other countries are also recording strong growth. These include Finland, Romania and Greece.

According to the latest figures, there are just over one million electric cars (purely battery-powered electric cars and plug-in hybrids) on German roads. They therefore account for 2.1 percent of the total number of passenger cars in Germany (as of October 2021). The stock has risen significantly in recent months. Background: The German government recently increased the subsidy for electric cars as part of an economic stimulus package: The federal government now adds 6,000 euros to the purchase of a battery electric or fuel cell vehicle for vehicles with a net list price of less than 40,000 euros. Together with the manufacturer's subsidy of 3,000 euros, this results in a total purchase premium of 9,000 euros. Private individuals, companies, companies with municipal participation, foundations, corporations and associations are eligible to apply. However, the subsidy for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids is currently being reformed. As a result, from January 1, 2023, the environmental bonus will only be available for vehicles that can be shown to have a positive climate protection effect, defined exclusively by an electric driving share and a minimum electric range.

The infrastructure of fast charging points for electric cars varies significantly in Germany. As the chart based on data from the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) shows, in poorly equipped registration districts, sometimes more than 1,000 electric cars have to share one fast-charging point. The lowest number is in the Plön district, where there is only one fast-charging point shared by all of the 1,455 electric cars registered there. In the Calw district, there are 2 fast-charging stations for 2,614 electric cars – so there are 1,307 electric cars for each one fast-charging station. The best ratio of electric cars to fast charging points is in the Altenburger Land district, with 24.6 electric cars per fast charging point (468 electric cars and 19 fast charging points).

Solar carport demand is rising – Image: Xpert.Digital – stockphotofan1|Shutterstock.com

Promoting electromobility is considered key to climate-friendly mobility, which should bring Germany a step closer to EU climate neutrality by 2050.

The environmental bonus can be applied for by private individuals, companies, foundations, corporations, and associations. Only the purchase or leasing of new vehicles acquired and (first) registered on or after May 18, 2016, and which remain registered to the applicant for at least six months, are eligible for funding. In November 2019, as part of the coordinated action on mobility, it was decided to extend the environmental bonus until 2025 or until a total of €2.09 billion has been paid out. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, on June 3, 2020, the parliamentary group leaders decided to double the government's share of the environmental bonus for electric vehicles as an innovation premium.

In its 2008 "National Development Plan for Electromobility," the German Federal Government set the goal of having one million electric vehicles on German roads by 2020. The automotive industry, so important to the German economy, was also to play a key role in this, maintaining and further expanding its strong position in the global economy.

More information here: Solar carport demand is rising, also thanks to the environmental bonus for promoting electric cars.

Customized solar carport solutions – Image: Xpert.Digital / non c|Shutterstock.com

More electric cars causally lead to more solar carports and more charging stations. Causality is the relationship between cause and effect. It concerns the sequence of events and states that are interrelated. Accordingly, A is the cause of effect B if B is brought about by A. Therefore, open parking lots are increasingly being recognized as decentralized power generators. This interest is sparked not only by the solar panel mandate in some German states, but also by the growing awareness of ecology and renewable energies.

Learn more here: Solar carports where standards no longer apply – The optimal solution for every challenge with solar roofing for open parking spaces