10 fascinating facts about electromobility

VDA President Hildegard Müller:
"E-mobility is becoming increasingly popular; more and more people in Germany are driving electric cars—and are thrilled with the driving experience. At the same time, however, many remain skeptical and unsure about whether to purchase an electric vehicle. This is partly due to a lack of experience with e-mobility or practical questions regarding specific charging conditions. There are also certain misconceptions that persist stubbornly. I am therefore convinced that raising awareness and providing facts will help win over even more people to e-mobility. That is our goal. At the same time, there are certainly valid concerns—for instance, regarding the availability of charging infrastructure or the cost of electricity for charging. This requires greater commitment, particularly from policymakers and the energy industry. It is especially important to expand public charging options, upgrade power grids, and lower the price of electricity for charging."

1. Many routes can easily be covered in an electric vehicle
The range of an electric car depends on the battery size, which can vary between less than 30kWh and more than 100kWh, depending on the vehicle class. This allows for ranges of approximately 200 to over 700km. Thanks to technological advancements, ever greater ranges are being achieved. Current top models even have ranges of up to 900km, and, depending on driving style, some models can travel over 1,000km on the highway with just one charging stop (source: Deutsche Automobil Treuhand).

Furthermore, just as with combustion engine vehicles, range depends on factors such as driving style, outside temperature, climate control usage, and vehicle load. Many people also misjudge their actual needs. 95% of all trips made by private vehicle cover less than 50km—a distance that can easily be managed with virtually any electric model. And for long journeys—such as a trip on holiday—proper planning can provide peace of mind.

In addition, plug-in hybrids offer an extra solution—especially for those who may still be hesitating about purchasing an electric car. The advantage here is that short distances can easily be covered using electric power, while an efficient combustion engine kicks in for long trips or when no charging facility is available.

2. Top models are almost fully charged in a maximum of 20 minutes
When charging in public, the duration of the process depends largely on the available charging point. At a standard AC charging station (up to 22kW), charging typically takes between two and five hours, depending on the model. This makes it convenient to charge the electric vehicle overnight or while at work. However, you do not always have that much time. DC charging stations (50–350kW) therefore enable rapid charging, allowing the vehicle to reach an 80% charge in under an hour. Good news: with new top-of-the-line models, you can even charge the battery to around 80% in less than 20 minutes (source: EV Database).

And even though there is still much to be done regarding the expansion of charging infrastructure in Germany, the fact remains that the number of public charging points in the country is steadily increasing. There are currently around 206,000 (as of June 1, 2026), of which a good 53,000 are fast-charging points. Moreover, those who can charge at home, at work, or while shopping can do so almost incidentally, without losing any time.

3. Batteries last a long time
Modern electric vehicle batteries are designed to withstand hundreds of charging cycles without a significant drop in usable capacity—and, consequently, driving range. This means drivers can use their electric cars for many years without needing to replace the battery. Even today, battery warranties in Europe typically guarantee at least 70% of the original usable capacity after eight years of use or 160,000km of driving. In practice, however, electric cars often retain a higher capacity—between 80 and 90%—even after this period. Furthermore, an EU directive will apply in the future: under the Euro 7 standard, batteries must retain at least 80% of their original capacity after five years or 100,000km, and at least 72% after eight years or 160,000km.

In any case, current studies (source: P3 study) show that the batteries—depending on individual usage patterns—actually last significantly longer. Most of the batteries tested still retain over 80% of their capacity even after covering more than 200,000km. And even at mileages exceeding 200,000km, the usable remaining capacity remains stable. Incidentally, this also applies when using so-called bidirectional charging. This technology enables electric vehicles not only to draw electricity but also to feed it back out; for example, unused energy from the battery can be fed into the user's home power grid.

4. Over their entire lifecycle, E-cars generate significantly fewer GHG emissions than comparable combustion engine vehicles
In fact, the production of electric cars initially generates higher CO2 emissions than that of comparable combustion engine vehicles. This is because battery production is energy- and resource-intensive. However, the picture changes when looking at the vehicle's entire lifecycle. Scientific studies (source: Batteries for Electric Cars: Answers to Key Questions – Fraunhofer ISI) show that, in Germany today, electric cars generate around 40% fewer greenhouse gases over their entire lifecycle—from manufacturing and usage to recycling—than comparable vehicles with internal combustion engines. Charging the vehicle with green electricity improves this balance even further, potentially reducing emissions by up to 70%. The good news is that the environmental footprint of electric cars continues to improve with every advance in battery production and recycling, as well as the growing share of renewable energy in electricity generation.

5. No workshop visit required: Over-the-air software updates keep vehicles up to date
It is true that technological development in electric cars is progressing particularly rapidly. Consequently, some fear that an electric car could become digitally obsolete just a few years after purchase. While it is true that vehicle digitalization has become increasingly important over the years, this applies regardless of the type of powertrain. The good news is that so-called over-the-air updates allow for wireless software upgrades without a visit to the workshop, keeping vehicles up to date—whether they are electric vehicles or models with combustion engines. This ensures that used electric vehicles remain just as technologically current as comparable vehicles with combustion engines.

6. You can even earn money with an electric car
Bidirectional charging enhances the appeal of e-mobility by lowering charging costs, unlocking revenue potential in electricity markets, and potentially boosting grid stability. The German automotive industry aims to be a pioneer and technology leader in this field, with companies investing substantial sums to establish bidirectional charging widely across the market. By 2026, German manufacturers will have 20 vehicle models ready for grid feed-in. We anticipate a further significant increase in available models in the coming years—provided the technical and legal frameworks are right. We are convinced that with the right regulatory support, Germany can become a leading market for bidirectional charging. The good news for consumers is that this development means they could even earn money from the mobile energy storage capacity of their electric vehicles.

7. E-mobility offers great potential for commercial vehicles as well
E-mobility is playing an increasingly important role beyond just passenger cars. The transition toward the climate-neutral, digital mobility of the future is also in full swing within the road freight sector, driven by both vehicle manufacturers and suppliers. The commercial vehicle sector holds significant potential for climate action, as heavy-duty transport accounts for nearly 30% of CO2 emissions on Europe's roads. German manufacturers offer innovative, CO2-neutral solutions across all vehicle categories. You can see this for yourself at events such as IAA TRANSPORTATION, which will take place in Hanover this September. Battery-electric trucks with ranges of up to 500km are already available today, and the first hydrogen-powered vehicles are achieving ranges of 700 to 800km.

8. German manufacturers are resolutely driving forward electromobility
Companies in the German automotive industry—both manufacturers and suppliers—are resolutely driving the transition toward climate-neutral and digital mobility through impressive innovations and substantial investments. Between 2026 and 2030, they will invest €320bn globally in research and development, with electromobility playing a particularly significant role. A further €220bn is being allocated to capital expenditure, including the retooling of production plants. Today, Germany is the world’s second-largest hub for electric vehicle production. Last year alone (2025), 1.7mn electric passenger cars were manufactured in the country, 1.2mn of which were purely battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). Furthermore, the share of electric cars within total passenger car production in Germany is notably high: in 2025, well over four out of every ten passenger cars manufactured domestically were electric (40.2%). In addition, German manufacturers are offering an ever-growing range of electric models; there are currently around 110 different electric models available on the German market alone, and approximately 160 worldwide. These offerings are winning over consumers—especially in the domestic market: the ten most frequently registered electric passenger car models in Germany in 2025 all came from German manufacturers and their group brands. Data from the current year’s electric vehicle market shows that just under two out of every three newly registered electric cars in Germany come from a German manufacturer; across Europe, the figure is nearly one in two. The foundation and prerequisite for the German automotive industry’s leading role in electromobility is its immense innovative strength: in the 2025 ranking of patent applications in Germany, all ten of the top-ranked companies belonged to the automotive industry (source: DPMA | 10.03.2026).

9. Potential fires: Electric cars just as safe as combustion-engine vehicles
Despite the persistence of the misconception to the contrary, the fact remains: the risk of fire in an electric vehicle is no higher than in a vehicle with an internal combustion engine (source: Do electric cars really catch fire more often? Facts and figures). While extinguishing vehicle fires involving lithium-ion batteries generally requires more time and a greater quantity of extinguishing agents, fire departments have already developed and implemented specific handling procedures and operational tactics for such incidents. These measures are based on rescue data sheets and guidelines for extinguishing lithium-ion battery fires—developed collaboratively by automakers, fire departments, the ADAC, and the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV). Furthermore, under the leadership of the VDA, joint recommendations have been issued regarding the proper handling of battery-electric vehicles that have been involved in accidents or fires. These guidelines are aimed at towing services, security authorities, and specialist workshops, among others.

10. Electric cars accelerate rapidly—and are no slower than combustion-engine vehicles
Electric cars accelerate rapidly because electric motors can deliver full torque immediately and power is instantly available. Electric sports car models can accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in under three seconds and are generally capable of reaching speeds well in excess of 300km/h. However, many electric cars are electronically limited—usually to between 160 and 200km/h, depending on the model—to curb the sharp rise in energy consumption at high speeds and extend their range. Furthermore, some manufacturers—much like those producing internal combustion engine vehicles—voluntarily limit the top speed of their cars.
By the way: In some regions, electric vehicles with special "E-plates" are permitted to use dedicated lanes (such as bus lanes) or benefit from parking privileges—allowing them to reach their destinations faster. Furthermore, electric car owners will save time in the future because the requirement to display an environmental badge is being waived for these vehicles. This makes sense: firstly, because vehicles with E-plates are generally classified as low-emission; and secondly, because it spares owners unnecessary hassle.