Majority of German Cars Now Meet Stringent Emissions Standards

Over 53% of vehicles in Germany are Euro 6-compliant or fully electric, but rising SUV dominance and the fate of older vehicles pose challenges.

As of early 2025, 53% of Germany's 49 million registered cars meet the Euro 6 emissions standard or are fully electric, up from 49% the previous year.
The number of electric vehicles in Germany increased by 243,000, reaching 1.65 million, with electric SUVs dominating this segment.
SUV registrations surged by 588,000 in 2024, now accounting for nearly one-third of new vehicles, raising concerns about their environmental impact despite many being electric.
Smaller vehicles, including compact cars, small cars, and minis, continue to decline in market share, reflecting shifting consumer preferences.
The fate of 1.7 million older, high-emission vehicles removed from the fleet remains unclear, as Germany prepares for the introduction of even stricter Euro 7 standards.