The German crafts sector is divided in its stance on e-mobility, although electric vehicles are already very popular among businesses. A current representative survey by mobility specialist MHC Mobility among German crafts enterprises shows: 42 percent already use electric vehicles, another 28 percent plan to switch or are actively engaged with it. But despite this considerable share of 70 percent e-mobility affinity, the study reveals significant structural obstacles that delay the widespread electrification of the sector.
“The figures show a remarkable development,” says Rainer Thies, managing director at MHC Mobility Germany. “On one hand, the crafts sector is clearly more open to e-mobility than commonly assumed – on the other hand, the implementation is slowed by very concrete structural hurdles. This is less a technology problem than a structural one.”
The detailed analysis substantiates this assessment – and initially reveals an interesting finding: nearly a quarter of respondents (24 percent) see
no obstacles and are open to electric vehicles. At the same time, clear barriers become visible: first, 40 percent cite charging and parking problems, followed by high purchase costs (38 percent). 22 percent criticize missing suitable vehicle models, 17 percent criticize inflexible contract models.
Charging infrastructure as a critical bottleneck
Notably, charging and parking problems are the biggest obstacle.
“Many crafts businesses are under increasing sustainability pressure from their clients,” explains Thies. “Public tenders, but also private builders increasingly question environmentally friendly journeys to the construction site. At the same time, the businesses calculate very carefully – an e-van that cannot be reliably charged simply is not practical.”
This tension also explains why, despite a high basic willingness to purchase e-vehicles, many businesses hesitated.
“It's not technophobia, but pragmatism,” Thies continues. “The craftsmen need reliable, affordable solutions – not compromises.”
Sustainability is increasingly becoming a business factor.
Advisory gap as an
underestimated factor
The survey also reveals an advisory gap: 11 percent of the firms feel uncertain about selecting suitable vehicles and planning the necessary infrastructure.
“Here it is often underestimated how complex the transition actually is,” Thies observes. “It's not just about the vehicle itself, but about charging planning, route optimization, backup strategies for emergencies.”
Particularly smaller firms are often overwhelmed by the variety of options and the long-term commitments of traditional leasing contracts.
“A two-person firm cannot afford a misstep over 36 months. If the e-vehicle doesn't work, it's existentially threatening,” warns Thies.
Uncertainty leads to the transition being delayed despite general readiness. Many firms would actually be ready to act immediately—if they had the necessary security. The results suggest that flexible usage models could accelerate the breakthrough. 17 percent of respondents cite a lack of flexible contract models as an obstacle.
“We see strong interest in test phases and
shorter commitments,” explains Thies. “Many firms would like to try out the option before committing. That is understandable – after all, they often invest in their livelihood. Therefore we have targeted our offering to flexible terms and test options to address this need.”
Flexibility could help
These findings reflect a fundamental shift in mobility needs: away from standardized solutions toward individually adaptable concepts that reflect the reality of the respective business. The willingness is there – what is missing are the right framework conditions. This shows that the market is not yet optimally aligned with the needs of the crafts sector. Despite the obstacles, Thies forecasts a continued electrification of the crafts fleets – albeit evolutionary.
“The transformation will happen gradually, driven by improved technology, falling costs and increasing customer pressure. Whoever sets the right course today and offers realistic, flexible solutions will accompany an entire industry through this transformation process.”
