Germany Leads Europe in E-Bike Sales as Prices Drop

Published: 2025-06-24 00:00:12 ET BIKE.DE

Published on 06/24/2025 at 00:00, updated on 06/25/2025 at 09:22

FRANKFURT (dpa-AFX) – Germany stands as a European stronghold in the ongoing e-bike trend. In 2024, e-bikes generated nearly €5.4 billion in sales within the country—almost half of the total e-bike revenue across Europe (€12 billion). These findings come from a recent study by consulting firm EY.

According to the report, e-bikes accounted for 86 percent of total bicycle sales revenue in Germany—a higher share than in Austria (77%), the Netherlands (72%), and France (58%). In Spain, e-bikes made up just 39 percent of the market. While only 18 percent of bicycles sold in Spain were e-bikes, in Germany, more than every second bike sold (54 percent) was electric. Nearly all types of bicycles in Germany are now electrified—from cargo bikes to mountain bikes.

First Decline in E-Bike Revenue

At the same time, 2024 marked the first downturn in the lucrative e-bike sector, deepening the crisis in the bicycle industry as stakeholders gather this week at the Eurobike trade fair in Frankfurt. According to EY, the number of e-bikes sold dropped by two percent to two million units, with revenue falling by 12 percent to €5.4 billion. Sales of traditional bicycles also declined—down five percent from the previous year to 1.8 million units.

"Last year, the German bicycle industry suffered another painful loss in revenue," said EY partner Stefan Mohr.

However, the decline follows a boom during the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the industry’s total revenue fell by ten percent in 2024 to around €6.3 billion, this figure remains 58 percent higher than in the pre-pandemic year of 2019.

One legacy of the boom is persistently high inventory levels, which are only slowly decreasing. As a result, the average price for an e-bike dropped by ten percent last year to €2,650, according to the German Bicycle Industry Association. Still, e-bikes cost more than five times as much as a standard bicycle (€500).

Traditional bicycles play a minor role in industry revenue, Mohr noted. However, demand for gravel and racing bikes is rising, driving up prices in those segments.

Decline in Children’s Bicycle Sales

Sales of children’s and youth bicycles shrank significantly in 2024—down 17 percent to 145,000 units. Mohr attributes this to the growing second-hand market, as well as a trend toward less physical activity among children and adolescents.

Overall, however, the report’s authors expect the bicycle market to recover—not least due to e-bikes. After the boom of recent years, there will be replacement demand, said Constantin Gall, Managing Partner at EY. "Interest in e-bikes remains high."

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