Germany “needs 10 million EVs” by 2030

To meet its carbon reduction target, Germany would need as many as 10 million electric vehicles on the road by 2030. Current volume of EVs on German roads: no more than 200,000 (and that's including hybrids).

In the spirit of its commitments to the Paris climate goals, Germany is making significant efforts to reduce its carbon footprint – shutting down its coal-based power plants, for instance. 

But, as the National Platform for the Future of Mobility finds, transforming transport to cut greenhouse gas emissions is proving harder to tackle. This is due in no small part to the massive economic weight of Germany's home-grown automotive industry. 

If, as required by the Paris accord, Germany is to cut transport emissions by 42% by 2030 (compared to 1990) - in other words, from 170 million tons of CO2 last year to no more than 98 million tons - the number of EVs on Germany's Autobahns needs to increase dramatically: up to 20% of Germany's total fleet, or about 10 million units.

Other suggestions in the panel's report to reduce carbon emissions by the transport sector: using synthetic fuels and biofuels. This could have a positive effect without requiring a massive transformation of powertrain technology and refuelling infrastructure.