The German environment ministry expects the European Union (EU) to propose a quota for electric cars by the fall, said Jochen Flasbarth, state secretary for the environment, on Wednesday.

As a result, new regulations could take effect in the near future, raising questions about how well German car makers in the midst of diesel and cartel scandals could cope with a rapid re-orientation towards electric mobility.

Nevertheless, Flasbarth expressed confidence that the automotive industry's sales would not be hurt given that electric cars would soon be much cheaper than they are now.

The key was for car makers to adjust their pricing structures and product range, something "which manufacturers have not achieved so far," according to the state secretary.

While Flassbarth said that the exact height of the quota was not yet decided, industry representatives expect that 25 percent of their manufactured vehicles will have to be electric by 2025.

Their estimates were made following a widely-publicized call for electric mobility quotas by SPD leader Martin Schulz last week. The proposals were made within a wider five-point plan for the future of the German car industry.

Angela Merkel (CDU) reacted with skepticism so far, describing the SPD's plans as "not well thought through."

Merkel cautioned that "We will hold endless negotiations in Europe. But what will we do when the rules are breached? Will consumers not be allowed to buy petrol-fueled cars?"

In any case, Flasbarth ruled out on Wednesday that the government would shoulder the costs of an electric mobility quota currently being mulled by EU officials. The government would, however, have to invest more in an expansion of charging infrastructure.

Despite the announcement of an EU electric mobility quota, German car makers' stocks were largely stable in Wednesday trading.