Germany Emerges as a Market Ready to Switch to EVs
Interest in switching to an electric car is particularly high in Germany. According to the HERE-SBD EV Index 2026, 27% of surveyed gasoline and diesel drivers say they are highly likely to buy or lease an electric car next. This is the highest figure among the eight countries included in the accompanying consumer survey.
That does not necessarily make Germany a global leader, however. More than 4,000 drivers were surveyed in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States, India, and Australia. Nevertheless, the result sends a strong signal from one of Europe’s largest automotive markets.
Germany has largely moved beyond the initial development phase of electric mobility. Prices, reliability, and the easiest possible everyday charging experience are now the main factors shaping decisions.
The Most Important Figures from Germany
| Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| Likely to choose an EV as their next vehicle | 27% of gasoline and diesel drivers |
| Greater purchase interest than a year ago | 54% of all respondents |
| Public charging points | More than 210,000 |
| Public fast-charging points | More than 55,000 |
| EV drivers who have never avoided a trip due to charging concerns | 64% |
| Position in the European index | Joint 6th with Austria |
The European section of the index assesses a total of 30 markets. Germany and Austria share a position behind Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, and Luxembourg. Smaller leading markets often benefit from a particularly high density of charging points and a larger share of EVs.
Germany, by contrast, stands out for the absolute size of its network. No other European market assessed has more fast-charging points. According to the index, its total publicly available charging capacity is also 48% higher than that of second-place France.
Charging Is Better Than Its Reputation
There is still a clear gap between public perception and real-world experience. Only 39% of all German respondents rate the local availability of public charging stations positively. Among those who already drive an EV, the figure rises to 59%.
Actual use is even more revealing: 64% of German EV drivers have never avoided a trip out of concern that charging stations might be unavailable. This is the highest figure among the European countries in the survey. People who regularly drive electric vehicles therefore view the charging network’s everyday practicality much more positively than those without personal EV experience.
This does not mean that every region is ideally served. In addition to the number of chargers, key factors include location, charging power, reliability, payment options, and utilization. Confidence is growing particularly for long-distance journeys, however, increasingly putting widespread EV range anxiety into perspective.
Range, Charging Speed, and Costs Are Winning Drivers Over
54% of respondents in Germany are now more likely to consider buying an electric car than they were a year ago. Interested buyers cite improvements in range and charging speed as the most important reason, at 37%, followed by higher fuel costs at 34% and a better, more reliable charging network, also at 34%.
Economic considerations rank highly when it comes to the actual purchase decision. Lower operating costs are cited by 41%, better value for money by 38%, environmental benefits by 37%, and tax incentives by 36%. The market is therefore moving away from a predominantly ideological debate toward a practical assessment of costs.
In line with this, the share of electric cars in Europe is rising noticeably. The latest figures on the EV boom in Europe show that Germany is part of a broader market trend.
The Biggest Obstacles Remain Practical
Despite growing confidence, concerns have not disappeared. In Germany, 45% cite range as a concern, 40% the density of charging stations, and 39% vehicle prices. Across all countries surveyed, charging availability remains the most frequently cited obstacle at 40%, although this figure fell by seven percentage points compared with the previous year.
What Supports the Current Trend
- The fast-charging network is particularly extensive by European standards.
- More than half of respondents show growing interest in buying an EV.
- Experienced EV drivers mostly view real-world charging positively.
Where Germany Still Needs to Improve
- More affordable electric cars need to become widely available.
- Charging points must work reliably and be easy to use.
- Regional gaps and high utilization at individual locations remain relevant issues.
The method of charging also affects costs and convenience. Those who can charge at home should avoid unnecessary losses, as a study of charging losses from Schuko household outlets and dedicated home wallboxes shows clear differences between the two solutions.
Supply and User Experience Must Now Keep Pace
Overall, the study paints a positive picture for Germany. Infrastructure, purchase interest, and confidence are increasingly moving in the same direction. The central challenge is no longer to convince drivers of electric mobility in principle.
What is needed now are affordable models, transparent charging rates, and stations that work on the first attempt. If Germany can deliver these, strong willingness to switch could translate into sustainably higher demand.
