Electric cars are selling more in this country than Tesla's home turf California

  • As Tesla gets ready to set up its latest gigafactory in Berlin, the German auto market is witnessing a spike in EV sales.
Australian company Brighsun New Energy have created lithium-sulfur batteries which will allow the production of electric vehicles with a range of up to 2000 kilometres on single charge. (Bloomberg)
Australian company Brighsun New Energy have created lithium-sulfur batteries which will allow the production of electric vehicles with a range of up to 2000 kilometres on single charge.

Electric-vehicle sales in Germany will surpass California’s for the first time this year, with a range of government incentives propelling Europe’s biggest auto market ahead of Tesla Inc’s home state.

Customers in Germany bought 98,370 fully electric cars in the first nine months, roughly a third more than what California sold, according to a report from Berlin-based Schmidt Automotive Research.

Also check these Cars

Find more Cars
Tesla Model S (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
BatteryCapacity Icon75 kWh Range Icon396 km
₹70 Lakhs - 1 Cr
View Details
Tesla Model 3 (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
BatteryCapacity Icon82kWh Range Icon 555 km
₹ 70 - 90 Lakhs
View Details
Volkswagen Polo 2024 (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
Engine Icon999 cc FuelType IconPetrol
₹ 8 Lakhs
View Details
Volkswagen Tiguan 2025 (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
Engine Icon1984 cc FuelType IconPetrol
₹ 37 Lakhs
View Details
Volkswagen Taigun (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon1498.0 cc FuelType IconPetrol
₹ 10.49 - 17.50 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers
Volkswagen Virtus (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon999.0 cc FuelType IconPetrol
₹ 11.21 - 17.91 Lakh
Compare
View Offers

State-funded subsidies of as much as 9,000 euros ($10,900) per battery-powered vehicle have boosted Germany’s electric-car fleet to twice the size of Norway’s, which still reigns as the country with the highest per-capita EV penetration.

Germany overtaking California is a boon for local automakers Volkswagen AG, Daimler AG and BMW AG as they seek to catch up with Tesla. Once world leaders in automotive innovation, the three German manufacturers combined are valued at less than half their US rival, which is building a factory near Berlin to challenge the companies on their home turf.

Europe is taking unprecedented steps to phase out gasoline and diesel cars, with UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson banning sales of cars that lack a plug from 2030. Germany last month said it will extend cash bonuses for purchasing EVs until 2025, expand the country’s charging network and make payments for topping up batteries easier.

California will phase out sales of new gasoline-powered cars by 2035 as part of its fight against climate change, Governor Gavin Newsom said in September.

Schmidt Automotive Research said it used data from IHS Markit, Germany’s motor transport authority KBA and Experian Plc’s AutoCount for its report.

First Published Date: 04 Dec 2020, 09:48 AM IST
NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS

Please provide your details to get Personalized Offers on

Choose city
+91 | Choose city
Choose city
Choose city

Want to get the best price for your existing car?

Powered by: Spinny Logo
By clicking "View Offers" you Agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy

Dear Name

Please verify your mobile number.

+91 | Choose city
Couldn't verify the OTP.
It's either expired or it's incorrect.