After years of strong growth, sales of electric vehicles in Switzerland slumped in 2024. 

Proportion of new electric vehicle registrations slumps in Switzerland

According to data from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), the number of electric vehicles sold in Switzerland fell in 2024. Accordingly, 46.500 new electric vehicles were registered in Switzerland in 2024, 6.000 fewer than in 2023. 

As the FSO announced in a press release, the share of all-electric vehicles among the total number of new registrations fell slightly, down from 20,7 percent in 2023 to 19,0 percent in 2024. At the same time, the total number of vehicles registered in Switzerland increased by 0,9 percent to 6,5 million. 

High prices and lack of charging options put people off electric cars

According to the automotive industry, electric cars have yet to gain mass appeal in Switzerland, due to the relatively limited range of options, the high cost, and the lack of home charging options, especially for those who rent in Switzerland. 

There is also speculation that the extension of vehicle taxes in Switzerland, which since the beginning of 2024 also apply to electric vehicles, has also put people off the idea of going electric.  

Switzerland is therefore behind schedule on its “roadmap” to promote electromobility. According to a plan put together by the federal government, in coordination with the automotive industry and associations, purely electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles should already be making up 50 percent of all new vehicle registrations. The actual figure is more like 27 percent - and indeed is lower than the 29,7 percent achieved in 2023.