ADAC sees no alternative to electromobility

The ADAC sees no alternative to electromobility in the future of road traffic. The currently prevailing polarizing debate about electromobility is only a hindrance.

The number of electric cars in Germany is steadily increasing. While the million mark was broken for the first time at the end of 2022, the number of electric cars was already at 1.4 million purely electrically powered vehicles at the beginning of 2024. In addition, there are another 921,900 vehicles that are on German roads as plug-in hybrids.

But despite the increasing number of electric cars in Germany, there is still a polarizing debate about the failure of electromobility. The ADAC sharply criticizes this, because the automobile club does not see an alternative to electromobility for the future.

Electromobility is the only sustainable alternative

At this year's annual general meeting, the ADAC clearly spoke out in favor of the shift to electromobility. The change in drive systems in passenger transport is of great importance for climate protection in transport. For ADAC President Christian Reinicke, there is no alternative to electric drive systems for cars.

If climate protection and individual mobility are to be brought together within a reasonable period of time, then there is currently no alternative to the drive system transition, i.e. switching as many people as possible to electric mobility.

The ADAC president sharply criticizes the polarizing debate about the failure of electromobility. This leads to a downward spiral. Challenges in the mobility transition are thus transformed into fundamental arguments against e-mobility.

Instead, the known problems should be solved. The ADAC is primarily addressing these demands to politicians, manufacturers, energy suppliers and municipalities. To achieve this, consumers must have planning security and cheaper electric cars. But the ADAC is also targeting the charging infrastructure. This must be expanded and charging prices must also be transparent and affordable for consumers.

Electric cars are cheaper than combustion engines

A study by the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI) confirms the long-term cost advantage of electric cars compared to combustion engines. This cost advantage can be achieved primarily if consumers also generate their own electricity. The so-called total costs of ownership (TCO) are lower for electric cars over the entire service life, despite the initially higher acquisition costs.

It was assumed that due to rising CO2 prices, the fuel costs of combustion engines would rise, while the costs of electric vehicles would fall due to the expansion of renewable energies.

The Fraunhofer ISI took into account all costs that arise over the life of a car. In addition to the purchase price, these include maintenance and repair costs, insurance costs, vehicle tax and annual energy and fuel costs.

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