00:41 31-12-2025

ADAC data: ICE car prices up 22–33% as EVs barely rise

ADAC research shows ICE car prices jumped 22–33% since 2020, while EVs rose only 3–4%. Plus trends in fuel, electricity and insurance costs into 2026.

Car prices have climbed sharply in recent years. ADAC research shows that between 2020 and 2025 the cost of new cars—especially petrol and diesel—jumped by 22–33%. One of the most telling examples is the Volkswagen Golf, whose price rose by more than 22% over five years. For the family-oriented VW Touran, the increase reached up to 33%. By comparison, hybrids such as the Toyota Corolla saw gentler hikes of about 14–20%.

Electric cars tell a different story. Models like the Volkswagen ID.3 and BMW i4 became only 3–4% more expensive, far below the rise for petrol and diesel vehicles. This modest uptick is attributed to improvements in battery performance and ongoing model optimization.

Ownership costs have escalated as well. For example, car insurance in Germany increased by 43.6% from 2020 to 2024, while petrol and diesel became 33% and 43% more expensive, respectively. Electricity for charging went up by 26%, yet it still tends to be the more economical choice compared with fuel.

ADAC highlights the mounting financial pressure on motorists, especially in sprawling regions where getting by without a car is difficult. With personal mobility slipping out of reach for many, the organization urges authorities and manufacturers to find ways to cut the cost of vehicles and energy.

As a result, buyers in 2026 will be choosing between traditional internal-combustion cars that keep getting pricier and more budget-friendly electric models that are holding on to their accessibility. Given the gentler price trajectory and cheaper energy, the value equation seems to be tilting toward EVs, even if the final decision will hinge on individual priorities.