In recent times, the number of vehicles, specifically cars, has soared to record highs in Germany.
Despite the proposed shift towards sustainable transportation, Germany continues to see an uptick in vehicle ownership. As per data from the Federal Statistical Office, the country had 580 cars for every 1,000 residents at the beginning of 2024, down slightly from 583 in 2022 but still higher than 578 in 2023. The total number of registered cars hit a record high of 49.1 million at the start of 2024, with a notable increase from 543 vehicles per 1,000 residents in 2014.
However, regional disparities exist. The western states of Saarland, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Bavaria saw the highest vehicle densities at 655, 630, and 623 cars per 1,000 residents, respectively. On the other hand, Berlin, Hamburg, and Bremen, with their robust public transit systems, had lower densities of 329, 426, and 435 cars per 1,000 residents, respectively. The lowest vehicle density was found in Saxony, with 534 cars per 1,000 residents. In all eastern states, vehicle ownership was lower than the national average, while western states consistently surpassed it.
Electric vehicles only accounted for a minor portion of registered cars, with 2.9% being pure electric in 2024, up from 2.1% in the previous year. While new car registrations fell somewhat, the decrease was more pronounced for electric vehicles, with a 32% decline in new registrations for this segment from January to August. This led to a decrease in the share of electric vehicles in newly registered cars, falling from 18.6% in 2023 to 12.7% in 2024. The decline could be attributed in part to the discontinuation of state subsidies for electric vehicle purchases.
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Although Germany aims to promote eco-friendly transportation, car ownership continues to climb statistically. The Federal Statistical Office reports that in 2024, the country had an average of 580 cars for every 1,000 residents, slipping slightly from 583 in 2022 but still surpassing 2023's figure of 578. As of the start of 2024, the country also recorded a record 49.1 million registered passenger cars, having fluctuated from 543 per 1,000 residents in 2014.
However, significant regional differences emerge. Developments in car ownership are most pronounced in the western states of Saarland, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Bavaria, which had densities of 655, 630, and 623 cars per 1,000 residents, respectively. Conversely, Berlin, Hamburg, and Bremen, which boast robust public transportation networks, reveal lower vehicle densities of 329, 426, and 435 cars per 1,000 residents, respectively. The lowest density was observed in Saxony, reaching 534 cars per 1,000 residents. In all eastern states, car ownership is below the national average, whereas western states consistently exceed it.
In 2024, only 2.9% of the registered cars were pure electric vehicles, compared to 2.1% in the previous year. New car registrations have been declining, especially for electric vehicles. From January to August, 1,910,000 new vehicles were registered, representing a 0.3% decrease compared to the previous year. However, this shortfall is more evident among electric vehicles, with their new registrations plummeting by 32% to 242,000 units throughout the same period. As a result, the share of electric vehicles in newly registered cars sank from 18.6% in 2023 to 12.7% in 2024. Experts attribute this decrease to the termination of state funding for electric vehicle purchases.
Despite Germany's push towards sustainable transportation, the manufacture of motor vehicles continues to thrive, as the country recorded a total of 49.1 million registered cars at the beginning of 2024. Despite a slight decrease in car ownership from 583 to 580 cars per 1,000 residents from 2022 to 2024, the country still has a higher vehicle density compared to 2023.
Regional disparities in vehicle ownership are evident, with the western states of Saarland, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Bavaria leading in car densities, while Berlin, Hamburg, and Bremen, known for their robust public transit systems, have lower densities. The manufacture of motor vehicles is significant in these regions, contributing to the high vehicle densities.
