DEVK Survey: High Fuel Prices Make Electric Cars More Attractive
A survey by insurer DEVK indicates that 15 percent of gasoline and diesel car owners are considering purchasing an electric vehicle due to increased fuel costs.
Rising fuel prices have made electric cars more appealing, according to a survey conducted by DEVK insurance.
More than 15 percent of respondents who own gasoline or diesel vehicles are now considering purchasing an electric car due to the surge in fuel prices. This could translate to as many as 6.6 million individuals in Germany potentially acquiring an electric vehicle. New government incentives are also expected to further boost demand.
The survey, conducted by Civey in May 2026 among over 2,500 German car owners, revealed that the increase in fuel costs significantly influences drivers' purchasing decisions. While 70 percent of respondents stated that fuel costs have not altered their inclination to buy an electric car, a notable minority are reacting to the price hikes. Approximately 4.6 million gasoline car owners and 2.0 million diesel car owners are now thinking about switching to electric.
Registrations for electric vehicles have already seen substantial growth. In April 2026, registrations for fully electric passenger cars increased by 41.3 percent compared to the same period last year. Hybrid vehicle registrations rose by 6.6 percent, while gasoline car registrations declined by 20.0 percent and diesel by 13.8 percent.
Germany's new government incentive for electric cars, adopted in autumn 2025, which offers up to €6,000 under specific conditions, is anticipated to further stimulate the market. DEVK is also offering a separate €1,500 incentive for customers transitioning from a combustion engine vehicle to a fully electric one, in cases where the former is declared a total loss.