In 2021, a total of 322.831 new passenger cars were registered. That is a decrease of 9,2 percent compared to 2020 (355.431). This is apparent from the official figures of the RAI Association, BOVAG and data agency RDC. The sector is severely affected by chip shortages, which has disrupted supply and car manufacturers are currently able to produce far fewer cars. This causes the delivery to be delayed.
The number of newly registered cars remained at 2021 in December 35.708. That is 15,6 percent less than in 2020 when a total of 42.290 passenger cars were registered. Due to the disrupted computer chip supply chain, fewer electric cars have been produced and delivered to customers this year. In total, 64.027 (19,8 percent market share) new electric cars were registered last year compared to 72.858 in 2020 (20,5 percent market share). As in previous years, an important part of the registrations of electric cars took place in the last month (32,8 percent market share). This is the result of the changing tax rules for electric cars as of 1 January. In total, 21.000 new electric cars were registered last December, compared to 29.319 units in December 2020.
Tax changes
From 1 January, the tax addition for private use by business drivers has been increased from 12 to 16 percent. The cap on which this EV discount is given has also been reduced from 40.000 euros to 35.000 euros. Due to global delivery problems, many electric cars will not be delivered until 2022. As a result, many business drivers are unintentionally confronted with a higher addition, which means that the costs can sometimes be thousands of euros higher over the entire term of the contract. The RAI Association and BOVAG are concerned about these effects on confidence in the new market and the willingness to drive electrically in the future.
Forecast 2022
BOVAG and RAI Association are cautious in their forecast for 2022, but expect the market to recover somewhat after the summer and amount to 390.000 new vehicles. On the one hand, sales may be held back by the persistent chip shortage and uncertainty about the effects of a higher additional tax liability for business electric drivers. On the other hand, the market will receive an incentive now that private individuals can again make use of a purchase subsidy for electric cars from 1 January, and that a number of new (affordable) EV models will also be introduced on the market this year. The range of (plug-in) hybrids is also increasing, giving consumers plenty of choice in economical models.
This year, the private purchase subsidy is EUR 3.350 for a new electric car. A total of 71 million euros in subsidy will be available next year, with which more than 21.000 new electric cars can be subsidized. Partly because of this, the market share for EV in total new sales in 2022 is expected to be between 20 and 30 percent, according to the report. RAI Association.
The most registered models in 2021 were:
- KIA Niro (10.812 / 3,4 percent market share)
- Volvo XC40 (8.448 / 2,6 percent market share)
- Volkswagen Polo (8.009 / 2,5 percent market share)
- KIA Picanto (7.929 / 2,5 percent market share)
- Skoda ENYAQ (6.621/2,1 percent market share)
The most registered brands in 2021 were:
- Volkswagen (31.059 / 9,6 percent market share)
- KIA (30.028 / 9,3 percent market share)
- Toyota (23.022/7,1 percent market share)
- Peugeot (20.283 / 6,3 percent market share)
- Skoda (20.215 / 6,3 percent market share)
The most registered electric cars in 2021 were:
- Skoda ENYAQ (6.621 / 10,3 percent share of the EV market)
- KIA Niro (5.879 / 9,2 percent market share)
- Volkswagen ID.4 (4.215 / 6,6 percent market share)
- Ford Mustang MACH-E (4.142 / 6,5 percent market share)
- BMW X3 (2.733 / 4,3 percent market share).
