E-mobility is in the fast lane in Austria

Austria is positioning itself as a leading hub for green mobility: in March 2026, one in four newly registered cars was battery-electric. The country is investing €500 million in e-infrastructure. BMW is building a hydrogen competence centre in Steyr.

Electric mobility in Austria is developing rapidly, with battery electric vehicles – or BEVs for short – gaining particular prominence. One in four newly registered cars in March 2026 was a BEV. A new record. With 8,206 newly registered BEVs, Austria also recorded its highest ever monthly figure for new registrations. 

This development is being driven by the Austrian e-mobility programme, eMove Austria. For the years 2025 and 2026, Austria is investing around half a billion euros to co-finance e-buses, commercial vehicles, electric motorcycles and charging infrastructure. At the same time, the charging infrastructure is being expanded: in 2025, the number of public charging points grew by 9,000 to over 35,000.

Industry and value creation: Electric powertrains made in Austria

International corporations are expanding their presence in Austria. Since August 2025, BMW has been expanding its Steyr plant to include the development of electric motors and plans to commence near-series production of fuel cell systems and the third generation of hydrogen powertrains from 2028. 

The first prototypes are already being developed in specially equipped hydrogen competence centres. These BMW competence centres are located in Munich and Steyr (Upper Austria) and play a key role in the development of fuel cell systems. For the iX5 Hydrogen, BMW sources green hydrogen from LhyfeLhyfe ().

Why BMW is shifting gears for the future at its Steyr site in AustriaWhy BMW is shifting gears for the future at its Steyr site in Austria ()

Chinese electric car manufacturer XpengXpeng () is also using Austria as a springboard into Europe: from 2025, vehicle production for the European market will take place at the Magna Steyr car plant in GrazMagna Steyr car plant in Graz (). The Xpeng G6 and G9 SUV models and the P7 Plus electric saloon are already rolling off the production line in Graz. As was recently announced, a fourth Magna model is set to be produced in Graz this year. Magna is also collaborating with GAC to expand local electric car production in Europe. Series production of the AION V electric SUV is already underway in Graz.

Austria: A Nation of Railways – The Backbone of Sustainable Mobility

Alongside private transport, the rail sector plays a key role. According to the VCÖVCÖ (), 2,335 kilometres are travelled by rail per person per year in Austria – placing the country second in Europe, behind Switzerland. 

The Austrian Rail Report 2025Austrian Rail Report 2025 () highlights the sector’s economic significance: the rail industry employs over 34,000 people, an increase of more than 20 per cent compared to 2023, and generates gross value added of over 3 billion euros. At 16.5 euros per capita, Austria invests more in R&D than any other EU country. Rail vehicles and associated equipment “Made in Austria” are exported to over 90 countries worldwide – with an export volume of around 1.5 billion euros, Austria ranks seventh globally.

Siemens MobilitySiemens Mobility (), with offices and production facilities in Vienna and Graz, is supplying Romania’s first fleet of hydrogen trains. The order came from the Romanian Railway Reform Authority (ARF). Twelve two-car hydrogen-powered Mireo Plus H multiple units are to be delivered. The contract also includes a long-term maintenance agreement. Passenger services are scheduled to commence in 2029. Swiss train manufacturer Stadler RailStadler Rail () opened a new production facility in Lower Austria for high-speed trains in April 2026.

Major projects are strengthening rail as a climate-friendly alternative: the Koralm Railway opened in December 2025, connecting Graz and Klagenfurt in under an hour for the first time. Austria has invested 5.9 billion euros in the project. At the same time, the Semmering Tunnel and the Brenner Base Tunnel are currently under construction, which will shift freight transport to rail in future.

You can find out more about starting a business in Austria herehere ().