MUNICH (dpa-AFX) - According to projections by management consultants Deloitte, the number of electric cars in Germany will grow far more slowly in the coming years than hoped for by the broken traffic light coalition. In 2030, only 11.2 million fully electric battery-powered cars could be on the roads instead of the 15 million targeted in the coalition agreement. According to a survey, this is also due to widespread skepticism among the population.

Desired goal in the coalition agreement

The SPD, Greens and FDP had set a target of at least 15 million electric cars in the coalition agreement, and Germany was to become the leading market for electromobility. Cars with hybrid engines were not included.

China is already the leading international market for electric cars. At the end of December 2023, the German government then abruptly canceled the subsidy for electric cars due to budget problems, resulting in a sharp drop in sales figures. "Reliable framework conditions are essential to promote the acceptance of electromobility, because companies need planning security," said Harald Proff, Head of the Automotive division at Deloitte.

Only just under 1.6 million fully electric cars registered so far

The estimate of a good 11 million battery-powered cars in 2030 is based on a calculation model that takes into account a number of factors that are important for purchasing decisions. These include the development of electricity and petrol prices as well as car insurance prices and purchase premiums. According to figures from the Federal Motor Transport Authority, just under 1.6 million battery-powered cars were registered in Germany on October 1.

Population divided

According to a Deloitte survey, the population is still divided when it comes to electric cars: Forty percent of 1,000 respondents believe that the EU's planned ban on the sale of new combustion cars from 2035 makes sense, but 36 percent reject this as a bad or even very bad decision. The remaining 24 percent are neutral.

Consultants see electric cars on an unstoppable international advance

Nevertheless, the Deloitte consultants assume that electric cars will prevail internationally. "Companies would be well advised to invest more in battery research in order to reduce vehicle prices and increase the acceptance of e-mobility," said Proff to the automotive industry./cho/DP/zb