Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) registrations in Germany surpassed those of petrol cars in March this year, according to data released Tuesday by the country's Federal Motor Transport Authority.
In March, BEV registrations in Germany surged 66.2 percent year on year to 70,663 units, becoming a key growth driver in the German automotive market.
The figure exceeded petrol car registrations of 66,959 units, which declined 4.9 percent year on year, the data shows.
Analysts attributed this change to multiple factors, including rising international energy prices triggered by tensions in the Middle East, and supportive government policies for new electric vehicles.
In January, the German government announced subsidies of up to 6,000 euros for households purchasing new electric vehicles, applicable to BEVs and certain plug-in hybrid models registered from 2026.
EV registrations in Germany overtake petrol cars in March
Israeli warplanes launched a series of airstrikes across Lebanon on Wednesday, with densely populated neighborhoods in the capital, Beirut, among the hardest hit.
Lebanon's Health Minister Rakan Nasreddine said that the airstrikes had killed 89 people and injured 722. The death toll continues to rise as the Israeli airstrikes continue.
Footage taken by a China Media Group (CMG) reporter in Beirut showed thick smoke billowing from densely packed buildings in the Lebanese capital after the attack.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement saying that it conducted a large-scale airstrike in multiple locations in Lebanon on Wednesday, targeting more than 100 Hezbollah command centers and military targets.
The IDF also mentioned that this is the largest strike since the start of the US-Israel war on Iran.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun on Wednesday strongly condemned Israel's airstrikes against Lebanon, saying that Israel has repeatedly violated international law and committed another act of genocide.
Aoun said Israel was blatantly violating all humanitarian principles and undermined efforts to achieve peace and stability, and Israel should bear full responsibility for the consequences of its actions.
Aoun also called on the international community to take action to curb Israel's aggressive behavior that threatens regional security.
Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said that Lebanon welcomes the ceasefire agreement between Iran and the United States, but Israel has continued to escalate its attacks, causing civilian casualties in Lebanon.
Salam also called on the international community to use all feasible measures to stop Israeli attacks.
Israeli airstrikes kill at least 89 across Lebanon, wounding over 700: Lebanese minister
