SHENZHEN – In an interview with the Italian media outlet “Motor 1,” Stella Li, Vice President of the Chinese electric car manufacturer BYD, sharply criticized the current conditions for electric mobility in Germany. Rising electricity prices and political uncertainty were hindering the development of the electric mobility market and could significantly delay the transition to electric cars in Germany.

“Sometimes electricity costs over one euro per kilowatt-hour, which makes the cost of electric cars comparable to gasoline vehicles,” Li said. These high electricity prices are a major obstacle to the success of electric mobility. In Germany, one of Europe’s largest markets for electric vehicles, electricity prices are so high that driving an electric car can be just as expensive as operating a conventional gasoline car. As a result, electric mobility loses much of its attractiveness.

“Unclear Political Direction”

However, according to Li, it is not just the high electricity prices that cause problems, but also the unclear political direction and the lack of charging infrastructure. “Political strategies are often unclear, and there are still too few charging points,” she criticized. These uncertainties and infrastructural deficits have led to slower progress in Germany than expected. Li also sees another obstacle in the current situation: the insufficient societal acceptance of electric cars, which makes the transition even more difficult.

In contrast, China is significantly further ahead in the development of electric mobility. “In China, there is clear political support and widespread societal acceptance for electric cars,” Li explained. These factors have contributed to the rapid development of the electric car market in China. According to Li, Chinese manufacturers benefit from consistent state support, which makes market entry and expansion easier. As a result, BYD has seen a massive increase in sales in China, while the situation in Europe, especially in Germany, remains characterized by uncertainties.

BYD Targets 10-15 Percent Market Share

Despite these challenges, Li remains optimistic about the future of electric mobility. BYD, one of the leading companies in the electric mobility sector, aims to achieve a market share of 10 to 15 percent in the electric car market in the coming years. To this end, BYD will expand its presence in Europe and specifically in Germany, and work to overcome obstacles by offering innovative vehicle models and strengthening the charging infrastructure. (zai)