A picture often says more than a thousand words. The message conveyed by this graphic is self-explanatory: for German car buyers, the purchase price of a new car is the most important factor, with environmental compatibility and gasoline prices playing a significantly lesser role. It can be said that the focus on environmental compatibility has increased slightly, while the focus on gasoline costs has decreased significantly. However, we need to take a more nuanced view of buyers’ decisions.
Purchase costs reduce the appeal of electric cars
According to a study conducted by Targobank in collaboration with the opinion research institute forsa in February 2025, the high purchase costs of electric cars deter 71 percent of potential new car buyers. The real range, which is still difficult to estimate, was a deal-breaker for 65 percent of those surveyed. Not everyone has the money to afford the BMW iX with the longest range. Anyone who wants to drive from Germany to Venice has the choice of enduring the traffic jam on the Brenner motorway without air conditioning or having to recharge the battery at practically every rest stop. Especially on long journeys, it is questionable whether you will always be able to find a fast-charging station, or whether you will need half an hour or more to recharge. Both factors, the charging station network (61 percent) and the charging time (53 percent), deter more than half of buyers.
Environmental protection almost irrelevant in the purchase decision
The aspect of “environmental protection,” the initial impetus for electric cars, affects less than half of those surveyed. Only 44 percent rated electric cars as more environmentally friendly than conventional engines. Separately, only 30 percent consider combustion engines to be outdated. The discrepancy in perception between politicians, environmental organizations, and the automotive industry on the one hand and consumers on the other is, to use a modern term, “glaring.” Interest in electric cars is declining, as the Targobank study shows. The switch from combustion engines or diesel to an electric car was planned by
- 39% in 2021
- 43% in 2022
- 36% in 2023
- 29% in 2024
This decline is likely not only related to the questionable behavior of Tesla CEO Elon Musk; after all, there are numerous other providers. The Chinese are also pushing their way onto the market with significantly cheaper cars. And it remains to be seen how Toyota’s hydrogen drive, currently available for the Toyota Mirai at a purchase price of almost €70,000, will fare. Fuel costs are similar to those of gasoline cars, ranging between €10 and €15 per 100 kilometers, but without the environmental damage.
After all, hybrid vehicles are in second place with a probable purchase rate of 19 percent, behind gasoline-powered cars with 31 percent. Looking at the figures so far, one might think that buyers of hybrid vehicles are acting according to the motto “Wash me, but don’t get my fur wet.” A little bit of electric car is good for the conscience, but to feel like you’re driving a car with range, you still need a gasoline or diesel engine.
Conclusion
Looking at the available results, we come to the conclusion that the statements made by car manufacturers about withdrawing from the production of combustion engines and diesel engines in the near future are clearly missing the mark in the market. It is not without reason that the VW Group has announced its “exit from the exit.” The EU is also discussing withdrawing from the mandated phase-out of combustion engines in 2035 (source: ADAC).
It seems that diesel and gasoline engines will be with us for many years to come, despite the ozone hole, the climate crisis, and global warming.
