Electric cars in Switzerland: positions in Europe decline

Context

In brief

• Switzerland has fallen from fifth to 16th place
• In the current year, one quarter of new registrations are electric
• In August, electric vehicles accounted for 30% of new registrations
• 84% of Swiss people prefer German brands for electric cars as well

Key facts

• Position → fifth place in 2019; 13th at the end of 2025; 16th in mid-2026
• Share in the current year → one quarter purely electric cars
• August → 30% of new registrations
• September → slightly more
• Taxes → up to 1000 francs more per year
• Preference → 84% for German carmakers, including electric ones
• Amag brands → Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Seat and Cupra
• Abbreviation → ATS, in the designation Keystone-ATS

In 2019, Switzerland ranked fifth in Europe for vehicle electrification. At the end of 2025, it had fallen to 13th place and by mid-2026 to 16th: this is the trajectory cited by Helmut Ruhl, CEO of importer Amag, in the interview published by Aargauer Zeitung and relayed by Keystone-ATS.

Ruhl's assessment is unequivocal:

«We are progressing faster than before, but more slowly than many other European countries».

The comparison therefore concerns the speed at which the various European countries are advancing. For the manager, electric mobility in Switzerland is growing, but not enough to maintain the position achieved in the continental comparison.

The framework conditions indicated by the importer

Among the causes, Ruhl points to contradictory framework conditions. Many people live in rented accommodation or in condominium properties without having access to a charging option. He adds that the necessary infrastructure is also lacking in public parking lots. For anyone considering an electric vehicle, the issue therefore concerns not only the model, but also where the car is left and the practical possibility of charging it.

The second factor is fiscal. The cantons apply different incentives to motor vehicle taxes. In some places, a mid-range electric SUV costs up to 1000 francs more per year than a comparable gasoline-powered car. The source reports this difference as an example of the problem identified by Ruhl.

In the meantime, electric mobility has gathered pace. In the current year, one quarter of new registrations consists of purely electric cars; in August, the share was 30%, and in September, slightly higher still. Fuel prices, according to Ruhl, contribute to additional demand.

As for Chinese manufacturers, the CEO believes that European ones are still well positioned. The interview states that 84% of Swiss people prefer German carmakers for electric cars as well. Amag imports Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Seat and Cupra. At European level, Ruhl advocates tariffs and local production requirements to respond to unequal competitive conditions with Beijing, recalling that China has already used tariffs, local production obligations and joint ventures. Europe, in his view, should do so intelligently, without isolating itself.

Operational details

The real cost depends on three variables

The data on Europe's falling behind is not enough, on its own, to determine which car is best suited to those living in Switzerland. The source puts three variables on the table that enter into the concrete decision: access to charging, parking and cantonal motor vehicle tax. The practical point is that the same technology may encounter different conditions depending on the home and the canton.

A grid before purchase

This grid avoids two overly quick readings. The 30% share in August and the even higher figure indicated for September concern new registrations; they do not describe each person's access to charging. The difference of up to 1000 francs, moreover, refers to a specific comparison: a mid-range electric SUV versus a comparable petrol car and in some places. It is not a national rate valid for every model.

The rising price of petrol adds further pressure to demand, but the source does not indicate an amount. For an analysis coordinated with costo della vita in Svizzera, it is advisable to separate the observed data from the personal estimate: first record the tax applied to the vehicle, then assess the role of fuels, without turning 30% into an individual forecast.

The ranking also offers a relative indication. Switzerland may move forward more quickly than in the past and, at the same time, lose ground if other European countries advance more quickly. For those who read the news as a promise of savings, the limitation is clear: the text does not provide a national average cost or a uniform amount for all cantons. It does, however, make it possible to set up a consistent comparison, based on the same car segment, available charging, annual tax and the trend in fuel prices.

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Key points

How to build a personal comparison

To turn the interview into a decision, it is advisable to fill out an identical sheet for each alternative. The procedure remains limited to the available data and does not attribute automatic savings to the electric car.

Five-step procedure

1. Define the comparison pair. Choose a purely electric car and a comparable gasoline model. If the reference is a mid-range SUV, keep the same segment so as not to confuse the difference in powertrain with that of the vehicle.

2. Identify the actual charging situation. Indicate whether the residence is rented or owned as a condominium unit and whether there is a charging option to which one is entitled. Add to the sheet whether infrastructure is present or absent in usable public parking facilities.

3. Note the Canton to compare. The source points out that incentives on motor vehicle taxes vary from one Canton to another. Therefore, do not assume that electric technology automatically entails a lower tax.

4. Record the annual item. Compare the tax on the mid-range electric SUV with that on the comparable gasoline car. If the local comparison amounts to up to 1000 francs more for the electric vehicle, retain the figure without extending it to all models. To organize the review of personal tax items, you can consult the guide to dichiarazione delle imposte.

5. Update the scenario. Record separately the share for the current year, the 30% in August, and the September figure indicated as even higher. Also record the fact that fuel prices are high and are supporting additional demand. If the comparison concerns the brands, note those imported by Amag: Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Seat and Cupra.

The sheet should provide a documented comparison of access to charging, annual tax and fuel-price pressure. It cannot produce a precise total saving: the source does not indicate purchase prices or other amounts needed for an overall calculation.

Ruhl's political position remains separate. The CEO favors tariffs and local production requirements to respond to competition from Beijing and recalls China's use of these measures, together with joint ventures. Europe, in his view, should act without isolating itself. These are elements for understanding the industrial debate, not a new rule to include in the personal budget.

To complete the review of the personal budget, use calcolatore stipendio/imposte.

Source: swissinfo.ch