Consequence of the delivery problems: premiums for e-car buyers at risk

Anyone who buys a new electric car receives a grant of up to 9,000 euros. But only if it is registered by the end of the year. This is currently highly uncertain because the manufacturers have delivery problems.

Karl-Heinz Hummel from Wackernheim near Mainz is once again rehearsing an E-Hyundai in the Autocenter Mainz. In the past few months he has taken a close look at many different models. A year ago it would have been unthinkable for Hummel to drive an electric car. Why has that changed? The Rheinhesse does not have to think twice: “Firstly, because I want to do something for the environment, secondly, I am now actually convinced of the technology and comfort of many e-cars, and last but not least, of course, I want to take all the state funding with me. ”

Time is of the essence, but the manufacturers are lagging behind

In Hummel’s case, the full funding is currently 9,000 euros – the so-called innovation bonus. Hummel worries that he will only get this money if he registers his new car by December 31st. Whether he succeeds in this is not entirely up to him. Because: As in many other areas, there are delivery problems in the automotive industry – massive ones.

These delivery difficulties are also causing problems for Katharina Heinz. The 27-year-old runs the Autocenter Mainz, which sells around 1,800 cars a year. There are currently only a few new cars on display on the huge sales area. Automakers around the world are not keeping up with production. Heinz says that manufacturers are no longer making any binding commitments as to when they will deliver a vehicle at the latest.

Among other things, they all lacked semiconductors for building car electronics. The reasons for this are probably diverse: the wrecked “Ever Given” in the Suez Canal, the lack of transport capacities, semiconductor production facilities closed due to Corona, incorrect planning by the car manufacturers – all of this probably plays a role in Heinz ‘opinion. Ultimately, however, it is of secondary importance why no cars are delivered. It is clear: “The vehicles do not come to us, whatever!”

Because of the innovation bonus under time pressure

Heinz recently asked all of their salespeople to explicitly point out the possible financial consequences of these delivery difficulties to customers. Because, unlike the scrapping bonus, it is completely irrelevant with the e-car bonus when the sales contract is signed. All that counts is the day of registration. And it is already clear that a car bought today will no longer necessarily be delivered this year.

This means that customers would then no longer be able to take advantage of the current innovation bonus, which will expire at the end of 2021. For cars up to 40,000 euros there is a subsidy of 9,000 euros until then, for more expensive cars 7500 euros. Cars for more than 65,000 euros are not funded; The decisive factor here is the net list price. As part of the Corona economic stimulus program, the funding was significantly increased. After the end of this year, the funding will continue, but with lower grants.

Uncertainty could put customers off

Car dealer Heinz says that some customers are downright shocked that they may not get the full grant – even if they would sign a sales contract today. The problem is that many would plan part of the current 9,000 euros maximum funding as a down payment for the car. Because of, among other things, the rapid technical progress in the field of e-cars, most customers would lease the vehicles and not buy them.

Heinz points out that, due to the unclear amount of funding, some people might buy a cheaper car with a combustion engine – possibly even an older make with high consumption. That would of course be counterproductive in terms of reducing CO2 emissions. In Heinz ‘opinion, politicians could remedy the situation if they linked the funding to the time of purchase and not to that of registration.

E-car purchases could be postponed

The automotive expert Stefan Bratzel from the Bergisch Gladbach University of Applied Sciences knows the problem. He also says: Because of the uncertainties about delivery times and funding, one or the other will certainly keep their hands off an electric car and grab a combustion engine – or simply push the purchase of a new car into the new year, towards one Point in time from which there will be clarity again about the amount of funding for e-cars. There is definitely enough money for this: According to Federal Economics Minister Peter Altmaier, 2.1 billion euros had been paid out by the beginning of July, which corresponds to around half of the state funding for e-mobility.

However, Bratzel does not assume that a decision will be made before the federal election in September on how the funding will continue from next year. That is also a question of political fairness. A possible new federal government should not be presented shortly before a fait accompli.

“Grants are sweet poison”

In principle, the scientist advocates that there will still be high subsidies for e-cars from the coming year. These could help to maintain social peace. It should not be the case that only high earners can afford electric vehicles and that others have to pay the high fuel prices.

In Bratzel’s opinion, however, it is necessary to cut state subsidies in the medium term. These could also be a “sweet poison”: As long as the subsidies are high, the car manufacturers would have little pressure to develop and offer more cost-effective models. In addition, it is almost more important that the state invest even more money in expanding the infrastructure. The best electric car is of no use if there aren’t enough charging options.

Delivery date more important than equipment

And what does Karl-Heinz Hummel from Wackernheim in Rhineland-Palatinate do? After much back and forth, he actually made up his mind to buy an electric car and not a diesel – regardless of long delivery times. However, the 68-year-old made a conscious decision in favor of a model with equipment that is already planned for production, so that delivery this year should still work.

Hummel says that this time, when buying the car, the delivery time is actually more important to him than possible optional extras. Only when it comes to the color is he unwilling to compromise: “I don’t want another white car after all!” If all goes well, Hummel can actually register his car in good time before the end of the year – and look forward to the maximum funding. But nobody gives him a guarantee.