For the first time, electric vehicles have surpassed petrol and diesel sales in Germany. The origin of the automobile has just shifted its source of power.
Electric vehicles (EVs) surpassed all other fuel types in Germany for the first time in June, with 84,057 new registrations, marking a 78% increase compared to the previous year. EVs now represent a 28.4% share of the market. The Tesla Model Y was the top-selling EV, with 6,023 units sold, placing it third overall among all vehicle types. Traditional hybrids ranked second with 83,315 registrations (28.1%), while petrol vehicles followed with 60,796 (20.5%), diesel at 33,862 (11.4%), and plug-in hybrids at 32,212 (10.9%).
The Volkswagen ID.3 secured the second spot in the EV category with 3,514 registrations, closely trailed by the Skoda Enyaq at 3,383. Overall, new car registrations in Germany totaled 296,378 in June, reflecting a 15.7% year-on-year growth. Volkswagen led the market with 51,058 registrations, followed by BMW and Skoda. While Chinese automakers are rapidly entering Western markets, the best-selling EVs in Germany remain European and American brands.
This achievement is significant as Germany is Europe's largest automotive market and the birthplace of the internal combustion engine. Known for its Autobahns and diesel long-distance cruising, it is home to brands like Volkswagen, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, which have built their reputations on petrol and diesel technology. Although EVs have taken the lead, even if by a slim margin over hybrids, it indicates that the shift has penetrated the core of European automotive culture.
However, the celebration is tempered by the fact that, out of 61 million vehicles registered in Germany, only 4.1% are electric. The overwhelming majority (59.3%) still rely on petrol. Increasing memory and component costs are affecting budgets within consumer electronics, and similar battery-related cost challenges are hindering the affordability of EVs. The results from June illustrate that while Germans are opting for electric vehicles when purchasing new cars, it will take years for the overall fleet to transition. Although a historic milestone has been reached, the broader change will unfold over a much longer period.
Published July 20, 2026 - 1:58 pm UTC
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For the first time, electric vehicles have surpassed petrol and diesel sales in Germany. The origin of the automobile has just shifted its source of power.
In June, Germany recorded 84,057 electric vehicles, surpassing hybrids (83,315), petrol cars (60,796), and diesel vehicles (33,862). Electric vehicles now constitute 28.4% of the market share, with the Tesla Model Y taking the lead.
