The mobility transition is progressing slowly in Germany. On World Electric Vehicle Day on 9 September 2024, kfzteile24, Germany’s best-known digital platform in the automotive aftermarket, surveyed its customers about their opinions on electromobility. The result: the vast majority continue to rely on a combustion engine. Of the people who bought a new car in the last 12 months, 88.6% opted for a diesel or petrol car whilst only 4.9% chose an electric car. Hybrids account for 3.7%.

Electric car more as a supplement to the combustion engine

Quite surprisingly, the survey results* show that EV's are more likely to be of interest to older customers. 40 to 49 year olds have the highest willingness to buy electric vehicles (7.4%) followed by 50 to 59 year olds (6.1%). In the last 12 months, 36.1% of all electric cars purchased by kfzteile24 customers were in this age group. A good income and solid financial reserves are often a criterion for purchasing electric cars. Accordingly, nine out of 10 electric car buyers also have two or more vehicles in their household. This further indicates that electric cars are currently used mainly as second cars rather than as a primary vehicle.

Why many drivers are not yet opting for electric drive

The decision as to which drive system the new car should have is strongly influenced by daily mobility requirements. For many drivers, independence from the charging infrastructure plays a crucial role: 69.8% of respondents emphasise that they want to be able to refuel anytime and anywhere. For them, this is the biggest disadvantage of an electric car. Especially in rural areas, where the charging infrastructure is often less well developed than in urban regions, this represents a major limitation in the perception of customers.

The range of electric vehicles also remains a major factor in the reluctance to switch. 67.6% of respondents prefer combustion engines because they can cover longer distances without frequent charging breaks. The longer charging time compared with the quick refuelling of combustion engines is another important reason for 38.1% of drivers to decide against an EV. High purchase costs deter 55% of those surveyed, and 44.5% feel that the technical development of electric cars is not yet mature enough. They are sceptical about current battery technologies and the long-term durability of the vehicles.

Strategic product range expansion to include e-car parts

Despite all the criticisms, according to the German Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt, there are currently around one and a half million purely electric vehicles and just over three million hybrids in Germany – out of a total of just over 49 million vehicles (as of July 2024). Even if the mobility transition is progressing more slowly than initially assumed, e-mobility will continue to become more important in the coming years based on registration figures. This opens up an exciting and rapidly growing market. From the very beginning, kfzteile24 has positioned itself in this segment with a full-range strategy. In addition to classic spare parts that are also used in combustion engine cars, customers can find special products such as wall boxes, chargers, and battery modules.

“Even though the demand for electric car parts is currently still manageable, we are investing extensively in this area,” says Markus Winter, CEO of kfzteile24. “The market is changing, and providers with the necessary skills will also benefit economically in the long term.”.

Investments in workshops and employee training

In order to meet the growing demands of electromobility, kfzteile24 has not only expanded its product range but also invested in the appropriate training of its employees and the infrastructure of its workshops. The technical complexity of electric vehicles and the increasing demands on parts and repairs require specialised knowledge.

“Our customers benefit from comprehensive expertise and reliable services at all times – regardless of whether they drive an electric vehicle, a hybrid, or one with a combustion engine," says Winter. “For our customers, this means not only safety and quality but also convenience and reliability because they receive everything from a single source.”.

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* 2950 customers took part in kfzteile24's online survey in August/September 2024.