Even on the day on which the application period for e-car funding is supposed to end, its premature expiry is causing criticism – this time from the ranks of the traffic light coalition. Representatives of the SPD parliamentary group are calling for transition periods.
From the point of view of the SPD parliamentary group, the stop to the state purchase bonus for electric cars comes too abruptly. According to Robert Habeck’s (Greens) Ministry of Economic Affairs, the application period for funding should end this Sunday at midnight. “However, we find the funding stop on December 17th, which was announced at short notice on Saturday, to be extremely unfortunate,” three deputy SPD parliamentary group leaders told the dpa news agency. “We are therefore calling on Climate Protection Minister Habeck to organize a more reliable transition here.”
Demand for “more true to life transition periods”
The parliamentary group vice-presidents Detlef Müller, Matthias Miersch and Verena Hubertz explained: “Citizens expect realistic transition periods from political decision-makers. When purchasing a new car, most people have to calculate very carefully how they can afford it and are assured of the bonus planned.”
In principle, however, they stand by the premature expiry of the funding. “In view of the overall budgetary situation, savings must be made in a wide variety of areas. The coalition has therefore agreed to let the e-car funding program expire,” explained the three Social Democrats.
Industry association: “Incredibly big breach of trust”
The Central Association of the German Motor Vehicle Industry (ZDK) also sharply criticized the abrupt end of funding. “This is an incredibly big breach of trust for tens of thousands of customers who ordered their electric vehicles on the condition that the funding would be paid,” said ZDK President Arne Joswig in a statement.
“The minimum would be to let the environmental bonus run until the end of the year and at the same time, in coordination with states and municipalities, ensure that registration offices remain open until December 31, 2023 in order to be able to carry out registrations.” The background is that, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, the application for funding can only be submitted if the car buyer already has the car registered.
Joswig further explained: “If we assume a realistic 60,000 affected vehicles and a premium of 4,500 euros each, we are talking about 270 million euros, which will primarily be burdened on customers. The goal is to have 15 million battery-electric vehicles in Germany by 2030 Getting a road is becoming even more distant.”
Grants promised are not affected
So far, according to the ministry, e-car funding was supposed to expire at the end of 2024 – or before if the funds have been used up. As of Saturday, the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA) should only continue to process applications that were received by the end of this Sunday, as the Ministry of Economics and Climate Change announced. Funding that has already been promised is therefore not affected by the end of the funding and will be paid out.