The ADAC finds that German e-car manufacturers have taken the wrong turn. One would fatally leave the important field of small electric cars to the European and Chinese competition, says ADAC Technology President Karsten Schulz. E-cars should not become a privilege for the rich.

ADAC wants more cheap e-cars

If ADAC Technology President Karsten Schulz has his way, then German e-car manufacturers are facing a home-made problem. Many of them would have Basic models removed from their offer and instead focuses on more expensive and better equipped variants. This would leave the business to the competition from Europe and increasingly also from China.

According to Schulz, customers who are looking for affordable e-cars are more likely to do so not find it at German manufacturers. They are more or less forced to choose a foreign model. Local manufacturers have “almost completely withdrawn” from the important segment of small electric cars (source: Welt am Sonntag via golem.de).

If Germany is serious about the electrification of transport, then it is E-vehicles must remain affordable. If politicians then question subsidies for electric cars, then switching to electric cars would be “rather more difficult than easier” for parts of the population. Schulz warns that e-cars could develop into a “privilege for a few”.

Is buying an electric car worth it? The answer in the video:

ADAC: range of e-cars is increasing

The ADAC generally expects that the range of affordable e-cars will increase significantly in the coming years – even if many models do not come from German manufacturers. In the current market overview of small electric cars, there are only a few German models like the Opel Corsa-e Elegance or the Smart Fortwo Coupé EQ to find. If customers want a long range, prices in excess of 30,000 euros can be expected.