According to current figures, sales of electric cars in Germany are currently rising significantly. However, appearances are deceiving: As of November 2025, almost one in four new electric vehicle registrations is based on self-registrations by manufacturers or dealers. The latter, in particular, warn of two statistical effects: First, demand is artificially inflated, which could have political consequences for the promotion of electromobility. Second, more new registrations drive down prices for used car buyers and sellers. For buyers of certain new cars, however, the purchase price could even increase. Too many self-registrations, therefore, lead to a market distortion. (n-tv, 22.11.2025)
KBA Sales Figures
The German Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) recently determined through its own research that the growing sales figures for electric cars are based on the increasing number of self-registrations by manufacturers and dealers. Both parties are thus pushing their production surplus into the market. The KBA’s November 2025 analysis revealed that from January to October 2025, almost one in four new BEVs (battery electric vehicles) was registered for road use by a car dealer or the manufacturer itself. In the same period in 2023, this effect was observed for only one in six vehicles in this class.
This activity is now putting downward pressure on used car prices for electric vehicles, which are already rather modest due to the limited experience with wear and tear and depreciation associated with this modern technology. While there have always been new registrations, primarily by dealers, who promote new models unknown to buyers by subsequently selling them as pre-registered vehicles with discounts of around 20%, such actions traditionally accounted for only a small percentage (in the low single digits) of the car market. With battery electric vehicles (BEVs), however, self-registrations are now reaching a scale that, as experts note, is leading to a significant “market impact.”
Warning signal to the market
Thomas Peckruhn, President of the German Association of Motor Trades and Repairs (ZDK), considers the increasing number of self-registrations a “clear warning signal.” According to him, the market is not currently driven by genuine customer demand. Rather, it is primarily fueled by the artificial incentives created by manufacturers and dealers.
A quarter of new vehicle registrations are actually being handled by the dealers themselves, clearly demonstrating how sluggish both private and commercial customers have been this year. This applies to virtually all vehicle classes and is largely due to the current economic crisis, but electric cars are particularly affected. Therefore, no one should believe the wildly exaggerated growth rates of electromobility. While there is strong growth in the sector in other parts of the world, such as China and Scandinavia, this is not the case in Germany.
Some figures and background information in detail
- BEV self-registrations in the current year 2025 (January 1 – October 31): 102,520
- BEV self-registrations in 2024 (January 1 – October 31): 67,895
- BEV self-registrations in 2023 (January 1 – October 31): 70,313
In the same period in 2023, the government still granted an environmental bonus. Despite its discontinuation, registration figures increased by around 50% within two years. Car manufacturers represent the largest buyer group: they increased their self-registrations by a factor of 2.5. These figures are also interesting:
- Share of electric cars in vehicle registrations in 2025: 18.4%
- Share of electric cars in vehicle registrations in 2024: 13.3%
- Share of electric cars in vehicle registrations in 2023: 18.0%, although the environmental bonus was still in effect in 2023.
Impact on the Price of Used Electric Cars
According to figures from DAT (Deutsche Automobil Treuhand), used car prices for electric vehicles have been under pressure for some time. Their residual value after three years with typical mileage averaged 48.8% of the original list price in October 2025. In 2023, this figure was 58.1%. A comparison with combustion engine vehicles illustrates the difficulties of the electric car market: their residual values have declined much more slowly recently and are also higher. DAT currently reports 63% for gasoline-powered cars and 61.3% for diesel vehicles.
This is likely due primarily to the increased number of self-registrations, which dealers and manufacturers typically use to achieve their sales targets when demand is weak. They sometimes pursue this strategy with combustion engine vehicles as well, but never on this scale. While the price drop may be welcome news for end buyers, private or commercial sellers of used electric vehicles effectively lose out due to this market situation. Even new car buyers don’t necessarily benefit from the latest registration and pricing policies. Low residual values increase lease rates, and many electric cars are leased.
General Problems of E-Mobility
Electromobility faces general problems, namely excessively high charging costs and insufficient charging infrastructure in residential areas. Self-registration of vehicles is unlikely to counteract these issues, as ZDK President Peckruhn emphasizes.