KfW sees progress in electromobility

05.08.2025

Source: E & M powernews

According to KfW Research, the share of purely electric cars in Germany's car exports has increased to 27%. New registrations are also rising noticeably.

The global market for electric cars is growing significantly. According to a recent analysis by KfW Research, the share of all-electric vehicles in new car registrations worldwide has more than doubled within three years. In 2024, every fifth new car was a pure electric car. The figures also show a clear upward trend in Germany.

As the study shows, the share of purely electric cars in German car exports rose to 27% in the first quarter of 2025. On average, around 82,000 electric cars were exported each month, with a total value of 3.4 billion euros per month. The value of exports was therefore five times the value of imports of purely electric cars.

The share of electrified vehicles has also grown in Germany. According to KfW, the share of pure electric cars and plug-in hybrids in new registrations rose to 29% in the second quarter of 2025. In the first quarter, the share was still below 20 percent.

"The signs for a further upswing in electromobility in Germany are increasing. Both climate protection and the German automotive industry could benefit from further electrification," says Dr. Johannes Rode, Senior Economist at KfW Research and co-author of the analysis.

Private households more open to e-cars

According to the KfW Energy Transition Barometer, the attitudes of private households have also changed in parallel with market developments. The study is based on an annual representative survey of several thousand households in Germany. In 2025, 5,119 households took part.

Ten percent of the households surveyed already own an electric car. 49 percent are generally open to using an electric car. However, only three percent of households have concrete plans to purchase an electric car in the coming year - a decrease compared to previous years. 37 percent categorically reject the purchase. A further eight percent would only switch to an e-car if there were no other drive systems available.

Nevertheless, reservations about electromobility are decreasing. Although the high purchase price remains the most common reason for rejection at 59%, other concerns are losing weight. According to KfW, concerns about the charging infrastructure have fallen from 72% to 51% within five years. Doubts about the range also fell from 54% to 44%. Only 30 percent of respondents still see charging times as an obstacle - compared to almost 50 percent five years previously.

Own electricity for refueling

Opinions have also changed when it comes to the environmental footprint. In 2020, 47% of households did not consider electric cars to be environmentally friendly. In 2025, only 34% shared this view. The decisive factor here could be the increasing use of electricity from renewable energy sources for charging.

According to KfW Research, 36% of charging electricity now comes from self-generated green electricity - primarily from photovoltaic systems on private rooftops. A further 44% is purchased as green electricity from external providers. According to the study, the 36% share of self-generated charging electricity is the highest value measured to date.

To further support the market ramp-up, KfW economist Rode recommends targeted measures: Information campaigns on the safety of e-cars, better charging options in apartment buildings and economic incentives for time-optimized charging could make a decisive contribution to further acceptance, according to Rode.

Information on subsidies for electromobility is available on the KfW Bank website.

Author: Susanne Harmsen