Major Developments in 2024

New Registration

In 2024, Austria registered 253,789 new passenger cars, a 6.1% increase from 2023, the highest since 2019. Petrol-powered vehicles rose by 8.6% to 84,004, while diesel vehicles fell by 5.2% to 44,132.All-electric car registrations decreased by 6.3% to 44,622, while petrol-hybrid vehicles increased by 25.9% to 66,672. Diesel-hybrid registrations remained stable at 14,346. All-electric cars made up 17.6% of new registrations, hybrids 31.9%, and alternatively powered cars 49.5%, up from 48.2% in 2023.

Policies and Incentives

Austria supports e-mobility with purchase subsidies, tax benefits, infrastructure incentives, and free parking. Monitoring and Final Report on the ‘Immediate Action Programme: Renewable Energy in Mobility (IAP) – Key Measures.

The IAP, part of the Austrian Mobility Masterplan 2030, defines 41 measures for the energy transition in road transport. In June 2024, the Federal Ministry or Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology published a report stating 31 measures were fully implemented, nine are ongoing, and one is pending.

Key measures include:

• IAP Measure 22 – Emission-free buses and infrastructure funding programme (EBIN). Funding recipients could apply for 80% of the additional investment costs for the acquisition of zero-emission buses (new vehicles, daily registrations) in public transport.
• IAP Measure 23 – Funding programme for zero emission commercial vehicles and infrastructure (ENIN) . The programme supports companies in converting their fleets to zero-emission commercial vehicles and in setting up the charging and refueling infrastructure required for these vehicles.
• IAP Measure 30 – Guidelines enabling renewable energy supply for zero emission road traffic infrastructure. The results of the study serve as a basis for further strategies, such as the national strategy framework.
• IAP Measure 33 – National Competence Centre for Electromobility (OLÉ). OLÉ’s role is the monitoring of the national e-mobility developments and the provision of information to public authorities and the wider public about the status-quo.

Sector Insights

Fleet Distribution
In 2024, Austria’s vehicle fleet surpassed 7 million, reaching 7.43 million, a 1.2% increase from 2023.Passenger vehicles totalled 5.23 million. BEVs and HEVs showed positive trends, with 200,603 BEVs and 242,094 HEVs. CNG and LPG vehicles decreased by 8.2% to 4,694. The FCEV fleet remains negligible at 62 vehicles.

Vehicle Ownership
76.5% of new electric vehicles were registered to legal entities, companies, or public authorities, and 23.5%to private owners. For new diesel vehicles, private ownership was 19.4%, and for petrol cars, 42.5%.

CO2 Emissions
In 2024, average CO2 emissions for new passenger cars were 129g/km, down from 130g/km in 2023. Including electric and hydrogen vehicles, the average drops to 106g/km. Petrol cars averaged 134g/km, down from 138g/km, while diesel cars averaged 149g/km, up from 146g/km.

BEV Brand Distribution
The Tesla Model Y was the most popular model with5,470 units, followed by the BYD Seal (2,383 units), Skoda Enyaq (2,310 units), BMW X1 (2,291 units), BMWI4 (2,086 units), and Tesla Model 3 (2,077 units). Tesla leads the brand market share with 17.2%, followed by BMW (16.1%) and BYD (8.6%).

Charging Infrastructure
Publicly accessible charging points increased in 2024,with 20,509 slow chargers (up to 22 kW) and 6,727 fast chargers (>22 kW), a 73% increase in fast chargers.

Charging Facilities Directory
An official directory of publicly accessible charging facilities in Austria is available online, providing information on technical equipment, charging possibilities, and capacity. This directory promotes competition, strengthens buyer confidence, and counters range anxiety.

Demonstration Projects

IAP Measure 1: National Strategic Framework
All measures from the Immediate Action Programme (IAP) that are not yet fully implemented will be included in the National Strategic Framework. Nine measures are currently being implemented, and one has not yet started.

According to the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), each member state must draft a national strategy framework by 31 December 2024.This framework outlines the market development for alternative fuels in transport and infrastructure, setting targets for the coming years. After a review by the European Commission and any necessary amendments, the framework will be finalised by 31December 2025. Due to recent political changes, Austria’s draft framework is not yet published.

IAP Measure 25: Zero Emission Mobility and Zero Emission Mobility Plus
The Zero Emission Mobility (ZEM) program fund flagship projects for implementing the e-mobility initiative of the Austrian Federal Government. The program focuses on zero emission mobility demonstration projects and their corresponding charging/refueling infrastructure in transport with an obligatory implementation perspective. The calls were technology neutral encompassing the three pillars, vehicle – infrastructure – user. In 2024, the Zero Emission Mobility Plus8program continues seamlessly with the ZEM and aims to focus even more on a systemic approach to reach the goals stated in the Mobility Master Plan (MMP).

Outlook

Austria aims to be carbon neutral by 2040, requiring efforts across all sectors, especially mobility. The Mobility Master Plan (MMP) and Immediate Action Programme (IAP) outline strategies to reduce traffic, shift to public transport and active mobility, increase energy efficiency, and replace fossil fuels with renewable energy. This goal, as defined in the MMP, is politically still valid based on the new governmental programme published by the end of February 2025.

Austria supports zero-emission buses, commercial vehicles, passenger cars, and charging infrastructure financially. However, the growing national fleet challenges these efforts. Recent government negotiations have put some subsidies on hold, but the new programme continues to support e-mobility and rapid expansion of charging infrastructure.