Before the coalition negotiations began, bicycle associations had high expectations of the new government – among other things, they had hoped that Red-Green-Yellow would launch a nationwide promotion of cargo bikes for private households as well. In the coalition agreement that has now been adopted, however, there is nothing on this. So it remains for the time being with the regulation already in force, according to which, however, only traders can get a subsidy from the federal government for the purchase of a cargo bike. And the patchwork of the many funding programs that some federal states and municipalities have launched remains. An overview:
Federal funding: The federal government supports the purchase of commercially used cargo bikes with electric drives and cargo trailers (with electric drives) – with a grant of up to 2500 euros. The program will run until February 2024 and initially started slowly – which was mainly due to the fact that it was limited to specially equipped heavy-duty bikes. In March, the funding conditions were relaxed, since then significantly more funding applications have been received by the Federal Office for Economics and Export Control (Bafa), which is responsible for processing. More information can be found on the Internet at www.bafa.de.
State funding: Baden-Württemberg and North Rhine-Westphalia were pioneers among the federal states. In the south-west, the country gives a grant of up to 2500 euros for commercial or non-profit cargo bikes and cargo trailers with electric drives, information at www.l-bank.de. In North Rhine-Westphalia, on the other hand, the state provides cargobike-affine companies with a grant of up to 2100 euros (information under www.elektromobilitaet.nrw).
There are also subsidies in other countries; in Lower Saxony, for example, not only traders but also private individuals can get up to 800 euros in subsidies when buying an e-cargo bike. Anyone who buys a cargo bike without an electric drive receives up to 400 euros. The state is making a total of 700,000 euros available for this (information under www.nbank.de.) And as with many funding programs, the following applies: first come, first served. In Brandenburg, however, the funding applications were processed with priority in terms of their CO2 saving potential, but the program expired in the summer. It is said that there could be a successor program for 2022.
The funding programs of the municipalities: Many cities, municipalities and some rural districts offer funding programs. Industry expert Arne Behrensen estimates their number at around 80 – in Germany and Austria combined. The funding amounts differ from municipality to municipality, as are the funding conditions. In Munich, for example, you can also get a “car scrapping bonus” if you decide to get rid of your car. Some municipalities only sponsor cargo bikes with electric drive, others also help with the acquisition of those without electric pedal assistance. And: Some also help with the purchase of a bicycle trailer – after all, not everyone needs a cargo bike to transport children and junk in the most environmentally friendly way possible.
One more tip: Industry expert Behrensen advises studying the funding guidelines carefully. For example, some municipal programs can be combined with federal funding so that companies can get a financial injection from two pots. Some programs in turn include leasing models, others – such as the federal program – explicitly do not support the purchase of cargo bikes that are intended for passenger transport.
An overview and details of the numerous funding programs are available on the Internet at www.cargobike.jetzt.