BERLIN, April 16 - German consumers are increasingly turning their attention to Chinese-made electric cars as pump prices climb and demand for battery-powered vehicles accelerates, according to online marketplace data published on Thursday.
Carwow, the marketplace whose dataset underpins the figures, identified BYD as among the fastest-growing brands in Germany during the first quarter of the year. The platform recorded a 135% increase in purchase queries for BYD in that period, with particular interest concentrated in its electric SUVs and the budget-oriented Dolphin hatchback.
In addition to the brand-level surge, Carwow's data show a broader migration toward battery-electric vehicles: queries for BEVs rose by around 184% in the first three months of 2026 compared with the previous quarter. The company highlighted that Chinese-owned marque MG also experienced increased activity on its platform.
"Affordable electric cars with short delivery times are thus becoming significantly more attractive - an environment in which Chinese manufacturers, in particular, are capitalising on their strengths and noticeably gaining market share," Carwow said.
Carwow attributed part of the shift in consumer interest to higher prices at the pump linked to the Middle East conflict, alongside an overall rise in new-car prices. In this market context, Chinese brands with lower sticker prices and shorter wait times for deliveries appear to be well positioned to attract buyers weighing the total cost of ownership of internal combustion vehicles versus electric alternatives.
The data underline competitive pressure on European manufacturers to offer more affordable EV options as German shoppers allocate greater attention to price and availability. While the figures reflect platform-level queries rather than sales totals, they provide a snapshot of changing consumer preferences during the first quarter.
Observed trends have implications across the automotive sector and for segments sensitive to fuel-price swings, including consumer demand patterns and supply chains for lower-cost electric models.