German automakers are making a strong push into the electric vehicle market at the IAA Mobility show in Munich. BMW and Mercedes-benz are unveiling new electric cars designed to appeal to discerning customers, while VW is focusing on a more affordable e-small car.

E-Small Car developments

The VW Group is showcasing small electric cars slated for market release soon. The ID.Polo, expected in the first half of 2026, will be priced at 24,990 euros and offer a range exceeding 400 kilometers.

The ID.Cross, a compact electric SUV measuring 4.16 meters, will also boast a range of over 400 kilometers and is projected to retail for around 28,000 euros.

Skoda and Cupra, subsidiaries of the VW Group, are also set to present new e-models in Munich, with the base Skoda model priced below 26,000 euros.

“We need attractive models that are in terms of range,charging power and consumption at the top.”

Opel has had the e-model rocks on the market as 2021. Available from approximately 8,000 euros, the Rocks is a two-seater with a top speed of 45 kilometers per hour, making it suitable for young drivers aged 15 and up with the appropriate license.

BMW and Mercedes-Benz Aim to counter Competition

To compete with Chinese manufacturers, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are highlighting fully electric SUVs at the IAA. The BMW IX3 and the Mercedes GLC are intended to represent a new chapter for these manufacturers in the electric car sector.

The BMW IX3, launching in the spring, will start at 68,700 euros and feature:

The Mercedes GLC, available from the first half of the year for around 72,000 euros, will offer:

Porsche’s e-models, also on display at the IAA, come at a higher price point. The fully electric Macan 4 starts at 84,100 euros, while the electroTaycan is available from 102,600 euros.

Automobile expert Stefan Bratzel noted, “The pressure is extremely large, the profit margins are falling” on Tuesday. He added that German manufacturers are investing heavily “To gain dynamics” and that the new models are “absolutely in the right direction”.

Bratzel emphasized the need for “attractive models that are in terms of range, charging power and consumption at the top,” as well as a broader selection of affordable electric cars. He acknowledged that while progress is being made, “It will be a long and hard way”.

Political factors also influence electric car purchases. According to the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA),approximately 380,600 electric cars were newly registered in Germany in 2024,a decrease of nearly 27.4 percent compared to 2023.