Volkswagen is taking more orders for electric cars than for petrol or diesel models in Germany for the first time. The shift has forced a major production shake-up.

The company has cancelled extra weekend and night shifts at its historic Wolfsburg plant, which builds the Golf and Tiguan. Output there will stay near 580,000 vehicles instead of pushing past 600,000.

Meanwhile, EV plants in Emden and Zwickau will add shifts. Sales chief Martin Sander called the moment a “turning point” for the industry.

The surge is driven by affordable new models. The ID. Polo has drawn more than 40,000 orders across Europe since April, priced from €24,995. Its siblings, the Cupra Raval, Skoda Epiq and ID. Cross, add about 60,000 more orders.

All four are built in Spain and face waiting lists of up to ten months. Rising fuel prices and better charging networks are pushing German buyers toward electric cars.