Germany updates: Germans driving cars more — report

For the first time since 2018, Germany has seen a resurgence in driving. In 2024, cars travelled 3 billion kilometres further than in the previous year.

Meanwhile, Germany's Constitutional Court dismissed a ruling on the complaint filed against the US Armed Forces' use of the Ramstein Air Base for drone missions abroad.

The suit was filed by two Yemenis who claim that family members were killed in a US drone attack in Yemen more than 10 years ago.

Find out what else Germany is talking about on Tuesday, July 15, in our daily updates with a mix of news and analysis.        

07/15/2025July 15, 2025

People in Germany are driving more again

In a reversal of a trend, people in Germany are driving more again.

According to data from the the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), personal cars registered in Germany covered 594 billion kilometers (360 billion miles) in  2024, roughly four times the distance from Earth and to the sun. 

This was 3 billion kilometers more than the previous year and the first increase since 2018. Prior to this, domestic car mileage had fallen five times in a row. In 2018, it was just under 631 billion kilometers.

However, the average distance driven per car fell again in 2024 — marking at least the tenth consecutive decline. According to the KBA, the figure was 12,309 kilometers — 11 fewer than in 2023. The total distance covered increased due to the higher number of vehicles.

The vast majority of the last year's driving distance was covered by combustion vehicles. Gasoline vehicles accounted for approximately 283 billion kilometers and diesel vehicles for about 230 billion. Other types, such as electric cars, hybrids, and gas-powered vehicles, accounted for the remaining kilometers but were not reported separately.

In 2024, petrol cars were driven an average of 9,555 kilometers, while diesel cars were driven an average of 16,984 kilometers. Diesel cars are particularly popular with frequent drivers because, from a certain annual mileage, their purchase is usually worthwhile, as the lower consumption and cheaper fuel compensate for the higher acquisition costs and vehicle tax.

07/15/2025July 15, 2025

Court dismisses complaint against use of base for US drone missions

Germany's Constitutional Court dismissed a lawsuit against the use of the Ramstein Air Base by US armed forces for overseas drone operations.

The suit was filed by two Yemeni citizens whose relatives were reportedly killed in a US drone attack in Yemen in 2012.

In 2019, a regional court ordered the German government to investigate whether US drone missions in Yemen that use the military base in Rhineland-Palatinate violate international law. However, a federal court overturned the decision.

In the Constitutional Court, the plaintiffs invoked the right to life and physical integrity enshrined in the German constitution. They argued that Germany had violated its duty of care by helping with the drone operations.

However, the government does not accept such a duty of care under certain exceptions, including if there is no clear connection to Germany.

07/15/2025July 15, 2025

Welcome to our coverage

Guten Morgen from the DW newsroom in Bonn!

Germany's Constitutional Court Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit filed against the US Armed Forces' use of Ramstein Air Base for drone missions abroad.

Meanwhile, Germans continue to marvel at the ordeal of the German backpacker who was found alive in Australia after missing for 12 days.

We will bring you these stories and cover other major topics that are currently being discussed in Germany.