Food, energy, services: Almost everything is becoming more expensive at the moment. Cars are no exception. However, people who are interested in future mobility and want to buy an electric car are hit particularly hard.
Because the prices of the 15 most popular electric cars in Germany rose by 14.5 percent in August 2022 compared to the previous year according to the list price. In absolute figures: an average price increase of 5385 euros! That made one Market study by the Center for Automotive Research (CAR).
These are the best electric cars
Selected products in tabular overview
BMW iX
RRP from EUR 77,300, savings: up to EUR 13,386
Kia Niro EV
RRP from EUR 47,590, savings of up to EUR 11,164
Kia EV6
RRP from EUR 44,990, savings: up to EUR 14,069 / in leasing from EUR 274
Mercedes EQS
RRP from EUR 97,807, savings: up to EUR 6,152
Hyundai Ioniq 5
RRP from EUR 41,900, savings: up to EUR 12,280 / in leasing from EUR 234
Audi Q4 e-tron
RRP from EUR 41,900, savings: up to EUR 12,420 / best leasing price: EUR 89
Skoda Enyaq iV
RRP from EUR 34,600, savings: up to EUR 11,584 / best leasing price EUR 124
Mazda MX-30
RRP from EUR 34,490, savings: up to EUR 13,035 / in leasing from EUR 90
Opel Corsa-e
RRP from EUR 30,400; Savings: up to EUR 11,920.00
Smart EQ for two
RRP from EUR 21,940, savings: up to EUR 8,240 / in leasing from EUR 77
Tesla Model 3
RRP from EUR 46,560; Savings: up to EUR 7,975 / best leasing price EUR 289.00
Toyota bZ4X
RRP from EUR 47,490; Savings: up to EUR 10,520.00
Volvo XC40 Recharge
RRP from EUR 48,650; Savings: up to EUR 9570.00
Any examples? Tesla made the Model 3 more expensive by 7000 euros, the basic version now costs 49,900 euros. Ford increased the base price for the Ford Mustang Mach-E by up to 9,000 euros to 56,500 euros. Also Audi and Porsche the tariffs rose sharply in some cases, and some models of the brands mentioned are now less or not at all subsidized by the environmental bonus.
In the case of the best-selling combustion engines, on the other hand, the prices “only” rose by 12.5 percent (3531 euros). For comparison: The inflation rate in Germany was 7.5 percent in July 2022. First, the “Handelsblatt” reported on the price differences (to compare the costs of e-cars vs. combustion engines).
Further price increases feared
But that’s not all: CAR expert Ferdinand Dudenhöffer expects further price increases due to higher procurement costs for semiconductors and raw materials, which are required for the production of electric car batteries, for example.
Is the market for small and compact electric cars collapsing?
The new regulation, including a cap on the purchase premium for electromobility, only reinforces the bleak prospects. The 2.5 billion euros planned in the federal budget are expected to be used up in autumn 2023, Dudenhöffer suspects. This will collapse the market for small and compact electric cars in particular. In view of inflation, no one will pay 35,000 euros for a battery-powered small car.
The electric Renault Zoe currently costs at least 36,840 euros without funding – a lot of money for a small car.
From 2016 to 2021, the state spent around 4.6 billion euros to promote electromobility. Statistically, the pot should therefore last longer than autumn 2023. However, the popularity of the environmental bonus has grown steadily in recent years. According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Climate and Transformation Fund (KTF) has earmarked 2.1 billion euros for the coming year and 1.4 billion euros for 2024.
Alternatives to buying a new car
Auto subscription
Get to know the e-car: VW ID.3 and ID.4 in a flexible subscription!
The subscription offer from VW Financial Services: ID.3 from 539 euros/month and ID.4 from 649 euros/month – with a flat rate, short minimum terms and monthly cancellation.
