The models and brands driving Germany’s expanding new EV market
22 May 2026
Awaiting the launch of a new incentive framework, electric vehicle (EV) sales in Germany stepped up in March. But which models found favour? James Roberts, Autovista24 web editor, unpicks the latest data from EV Volumes.
Following an unspectacular start to the year, EV sales, including battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), rallied in March.
According to EV Volumes’ data, 100,178 new EVs were added to Germany’s roads in the month, a 45.5% year-on-year increase. This marked the best monthly total since August 2023. However, that period saw a pull-forward effect, before subsidies for commercial BEV buyers ended in September 2023.
All-electric models enjoyed a significant year-on-year gain in March. In total, 70,309 vehicles reached customers, a 66% improvement on 12 months prior. PHEV sales increased by 12.8% to 29,869 units.
This strong month for EV demand helped cap a robust first quarter of new EV sales in Germany. Three months into the year, electric vehicle sales stood at 234,701 units. This was up from 175,558 in the first quarter of 2025, equating to a 33.7% increase.
Again, BEVs made notable gains in the first quarter. In total, 158,875 new all-electric vehicles were sold in Germany, up from 112,011. This resulted in a year-on-year gain of 41.8%. In total, BEV powertrains made up 67.7% of overall EV volumes between January and March.
PHEVs, meanwhile, accrued a more modest gain. After three months of the year, 75,826 units were delivered, equating to a 19.3% year-on-year increase.
Germany’s EV incentives
Recent BEV and PHEV sales momentum in Germany followed the announcement of EV incentives at the start of the year. First presented in January, the online application portal for the grant has now opened.
The scheme offers a direct grant for the purchase and lease of new BEVs, PHEVs, and extended-range electric vehicles. Taxable household income and family size determine the amount of funding available for each applicant. Importantly, retroactive applications are eligible back to 1 January 2026.
In total, €3 billion has been allocated to the scheme. The government aims to support around 800,000 vehicles with subsidisation by the end of 2029. So, with the activation of the scheme’s application process, this may accelerate EV growth in the second quarter of 2026.
Škoda hit a new high
The Škoda Elroq emerged as the best-selling EV in Germany during the first quarter of 2026. In total, the Czech BEV moved 10,339 units, claiming 6.5% of the all-electric vehicle market. This contributed to Škoda’s increasing slice of EV sales. The carmaker’s 9.2% share was up 2.1 percentage points (pp) year on year.
Since March 2025, the Elroq has shifted four-figure monthly volumes in Germany. March 2026 saw a peak sales volume of 3,872 units, plus a year-on-year boost of 242%. However, the Elroq’s monthly total ended up behind the Tesla Model Y.
The US BEV saw 6,841 sales in Germany during March. However, this was bolstered by the company’s typical end-of-quarter delivery spike. Within the first quarter of 2026, the Model Y was the second-best-selling BEV in the country. The crossover recorded a 5.9% market share with 9,300 units.
VW looms large over Germany’s EV market
Germany’s biggest EV seller, Volkswagen (VW), occupied third and fourth in the first quarter BEV model standings. Yet despite continued dominance, VW’s overall market share decreased by 3.8pp, to 15.9%.
The ID.3 rounded out the top three in the first quarter of the year. The compact hatchback, aimed at a more urban and suburban clientele, saw 8,158 units reach customers in Germany. Meanwhile, its larger sibling, the VW ID.7, followed in fourth with 7,917 units.
By offering two BEVs for different automotive and demographic needs, VW has ensured a significant market hold. Despite a 5.8% year-on-year volume fall in March, the ID.7 boasted a 5% market share across the first three months of 2026.
Strong first quarter for European brands
The Škoda Enyaq ended up fifth in the BEV standings three months into 2026. A larger offering than the table-topping Elroq, the SUV accounted for 7,542 sales. A bumper 3,392 units in March alone enabled a year-on-year leap of 41.8%. Like VW, Škoda has developed the Elroq and Enyaq to appeal to a wide-ranging demographic.
The Audi A6 e-tron ended the first quarter as the sixth best-selling BEV in Germany. The all-electric hatchback was just 47 units above the Mercedes-Benz CLA, with both vehicles commanding a 3.1% BEV market share.
A larger BEV offering from Audi, the Q6 e-tron, claimed eighth place with 4,032 deliveries. March was a strong month with the SUV recording a year-on-year volume gain of 97%. In ninth, VW’s mid-sized BEV, the ID.4, shifted 3,889 units, two more than the Cupra Born in 10th. Both secured a 2.4% market share.
PHEV market competition heats up
Volvo’s XC60 emerged as the best-selling PHEV across the first quarter of 2026. Following a ninth consecutive month of four-figure sales in March, the model recorded 3,564 deliveries in the first quarter. This resulted in a 4.7% market share, despite a year-on-year volume drop of 1.4% in March.
The Mercedes-Benz GLC followed in second with 3,201 sales between January and March, taking a 4.2% market share. The mid-sized SUV had a stellar March performance, with a 125.6% year-on-year volume lift.
The VW Tiguan took third in March’s PHEV top three, recording 1,339 sales. However, the SUV’s monthly market share declined by 0.3pp to 4.5% amid growing competition.
VW occupied four positions in Germany’s top 10 PHEV table during the first quarter. The VW Tayron claimed fifth with 2,805 sales, followed by the Passat in sixth, notching up 2,708 units. The VW Multivan rounded out the quarterly top 10 with 2,282 deliveries.
BYD’s rise continues
The first quarter of the year saw BYD continue its rise in the German EV market. The brand saw a 644.5% year-on-year surge in deliveries in the first quarter. As a result, its market increased by 3.2pp to 3.9%. This places the Chinese carmaker 0.5pp ahead of Ford and Volvo.
After recording its first sales in Germany during August last year, the BYD Seal 6 Touring has been making waves. In March alone, the estate was the third best-selling PHEV in the country with 1,117 sales and a 3.7% market share.
This meant that in the first quarter it managed 2,297 deliveries and a 3% share, putting it ninth. This put it behind the Mercedes-Benz E-Class in eighth with 3.2% and the Audi A5 in seventh with 3.3%.
