China's Rise in the Electric Car Market and Germany's Lagging Competitiveness

China is gaining ground in the electric car market, while Europe, particularly Germany, is falling behind. Chinese EV exporters face trust and brand gaps in global markets, but their affordable, tech-laden EVs are valued for their 'value for money' proposition.

Chinese auto suppliers and EV makers are showcasing their vehicles in major trade fairs in Germany, aiming to build trust and expand their market share in Europe. Germany, despite making up a third of the EU's new electric car registrations, lags behind countries like Norway and Iceland due to factors like inadequate charging infrastructure and higher costs.

The German government plans to ease regulations to boost electric car sales, but the auto industry demands faster expansion of charging networks and lower electricity prices. While Germany leads in new electric car registrations within the EU, there is a clear North-South divide, with Scandinavian countries leading and Croatia and Slovakia having the fewest registrations.

The future of the combustion engine ban in the EU is uncertain, as economic concerns and the challenges of transitioning to electric vehicles prompt calls for earlier reviews.