Decline in Vehicle Registrations in the Given Region
Electric Vehicles on the Rise in Berlin and Brandenburg
New data from the Federal Motor Transport Authority reveals a shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) in Berlin and Brandenburg, despite a decrease in overall new car registrations.
In the first half of 2025, the number of new car registrations in Berlin decreased by 7.7% compared to the previous year, while in Brandenburg, the decrease was a more modest 1.3%. However, the proportion of newly registered cars with alternative powertrains saw a significant increase in both regions.
In Berlin, the share of EVs increased from 56.0% to 63.2%, marking a 7 percentage point jump. Simultaneously, Brandenburg saw a 9.5 percentage point increase, with 54.9% of new registrations being EVs. This rise in the proportion of electric cars registered is particularly notable given the decrease in overall new car registrations.
The growth in EV registrations can be attributed to several key factors. One is the strong growth in plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) registrations in Germany, which experienced a 59.2% year-on-year increase in the first seven months of 2025. This rising market share, even as overall vehicle sales declined, indicates a shift in consumer preference towards electrification.
Another factor is the significant investment in EV manufacturing infrastructure, both in Europe and especially in Germany. Investments in electric vehicle and battery production, such as large Chinese and European battery gigafactories near Germany, support local EV supply chains, potentially reducing prices and improving availability of electric cars in the region.
The competitive landscape among automakers may also have played a role. Some major automakers like Tesla have faced decreases in sales in Germany, indicating a complex competitive landscape that may have shifted consumer purchases to other EV brands and models more popular in Berlin-Brandenburg.
Potential influence from tax incentives or governmental policies may also have contributed to the rise in EV registrations. Although not specifically detailed for Berlin and Brandenburg, Germany has seen tax incentives driving EV growth overall, which likely affect registration patterns regionally.
Looking at the total number of cars on the roads, both Berlin and Brandenburg saw an increase. In Berlin, the total number of cars rose from approximately 1,115,000 to 1,228,000 from April 2024 to April 2025. Brandenburg saw a similar increase, with the total number of cars on the roads rising from 1,384,000 to 1,494,000 during the same period.
The latest figures from the Federal Motor Transport Authority on the total number of vehicles in circulation are expected to be available by the end of August. However, the trend towards electrification in Berlin and Brandenburg during early 2025 is clear, aligning with broader trends in Germany and Europe related to electrification investments and market behaviors.
- The growth in electric car registrations in Berlin and Brandenburg is not only limited to these regions; it's a wider trend across the automotive industry in Germany.
- Finance plays a significant role in this shift towards electric vehicles, as the increasing investment in EV manufacturing infrastructure is expected to reduce prices and improve availability.
- Transportation is undergoing a transformation with the rising popularity of electric vehicles, as indicated by the significant increase in the proportion of EVs in new car registrations across both Berlin and Brandenburg.
- Lifestyle choices are also influencing the rise of electric vehicles, as the shift towards electrification aligns with broader trends in Germany and Europe, indicating a preference for environmentally friendly options in daily life.
