Berlin, April 28, 2026 VW ID.3 surpasses Tesla Model Y as Germany’s top EV
The Volkswagen ID.3 has dethroned Tesla’s Model Y as Germany’s most registered electric vehicle, according to new data from the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA).
VW ID.3 Takes the Lead
As of January 2026, 116,053 VW ID.3 models were registered in Germany, surpassing the 106,184 Tesla Model Y vehicles on the road. The ID.3’s lead solidified despite a slight increase in Model Y registrations during the first quarter of the year. "Seit Jahresbeginn wurden nun zwar wieder etwas mehr Model Y neu zugelassen, allerdings bei weitem nicht genug, um den Vorsprung des ID.3 auszugleichen," the KBA reported, noting that Tesla’s growth was insufficient to close the gap.
Volkswagen’s combined ID.4 and ID.5 models also contributed to the brand’s dominance, with 97,120 units registered by early 2026 and around 5,000 new registrations in the first quarter alone. "Ein drittes Modell dürfte in Bälde folgen oder hat dies vielleicht bereits getan - zumindest wenn man, wie das KBA, ID.4 und ID.5 zusammenzählt," sources familiar with the data noted, suggesting further expansion of VW’s electric lineup.
Traditional Models Still Dominate
While electric vehicles are gaining traction, conventional models remain far more prevalent on German roads. The VW Golf leads overall registrations with a staggering 3.2 million units, followed by the VW Polo (1.3 million) and the Opel Corsa (1.1 million). "Das ist mehr als alle Elektroautos auf deutschen Straßen zusammen: Zu Jahresbeginn waren das 2,03 Millionen," the KBA emphasized, highlighting that all EVs combined still trail the Golf’s numbers.