Electric cars are booming in Germany: almost ten percent of all newly registered cars recently ran exclusively on electricity.
In 2019, their share was less than two percent.
Have drivers suddenly discovered their ecological conscience?
This may be the case in individual cases, but there are a number of solid reasons for the breakthrough long hoped for by many climate protectors:
The lavish purchase premium from the state.
In the best case, almost 10,000 euros come together.
Some electric cars are cheaper than a comparable diesel or gasoline engine.
In addition, there has recently been money from the state for the domestic wallbox - 900 euros per charging point.
The car manufacturers are increasing the ranges.
300 kilometers now form the lower limit.
Some models cover well over 500 kilometers and can refuel with electricity for up to 100 kilometers of driving in five minutes.
The growing network of public charging stations creates trust.
There are currently more than 30,000 charging points in Germany.
“The year 2020 is the turning point for electromobility in Germany,” says car expert Stefan Bratzel from the Center of Automotive Management (CAM) in Bergisch Gladbach.
He expects a rapid increase in the coming years and speaks of a "paradigm shift in drive technologies".
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E-cars will have another advantage in the new year: Then comes the higher CO2 tax on fossil fuels.
Diesel and gasoline are becoming ten to eleven cents per liter more expensive.
For some environmentalists, all of this is already too much of a good thing; they would prefer more money for public transport or new bike paths - and that electric cars are used more in car sharing.
But in terms of transport preferences, not much is changing in Germany at the moment, even more so when it comes to driving cars.
Renault Zoe, Smart EQ Fortwo and VW ID.3 are the names of particularly well-selling electric models for smaller cars.
Tesla (Model 3), Audi (e-tron) and Daimler (Mercedes EQC) win customers in the luxury segment.
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Hardly anyone among industry experts doubts that the electrical boom will continue.
In the coming year, well-known and less well-known manufacturers will jump on the wave, including from China.
Various start-ups are announcing electric vehicles.
It remains questionable whether they will all come to Germany or other European countries.
Lucid Motors has announced a more than 1000 hp electric sedan for 2021, MG (part of the Chinese SAIC group) plans to bring its SUV ZS EV to Europe.
Another Chinese manufacturer, Suda, is trying a cheap Stromer called the SA01.
The small sedan should cost less than 10,000 euros minus the environmental bonus, but has neither airbags nor ESP.
If he does not come, buyers could consider the similarly cheap electric Dacia from the Renault group.
On the other hand, Rivian wants to attack at the top.
The US start-up plans to launch a 5.5-meter-long, 800-hp electric pick-up in mid-2021.
At Ford, the traffic lights for an electric pick-up, the F150, are green.
And last but not least, Tesla boss Elon Musk has really got the truck scene going with his futuristic cybertruck.
Production is scheduled to start at the end of 2021.
However, there is no approval for Europe.
What important new publications can we expect in 2021?
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