BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - Anyone who buys or leases an electric car can count on up to €6,000 in government support. For him as Environment Minister, electromobility is a beacon of hope, said SPD politician Carsten Schneider as he presented the details in Berlin. "It allows us to be mobile without gasoline or diesel, which means protecting the climate and becoming more independent from the power games of oil states and from fluctuating fuel prices."
Schneider predicted that the new purchase incentive would give a boost to the German and European automotive industry. "These are now seriously cool cars that German manufacturers are putting on the market."
Those who earn less or have children get more
The basic principle: those who earn less or have children should benefit more from the new incentive for buying or leasing an electric car. Depending on personal circumstances, between €1,500 and €6,000 in government support is available.
The eligibility threshold is a household income of €80,000, or €90,000 for households with two children. The base incentive for pure electric cars is €3,000. Households with an income of up to €60,000 receive €4,000, and those with a maximum income of €45,000 receive €5,000. The incentive increases by €500 per child, up to a maximum of €1,000 in total.
According to Schneider, half of the households that have acquired an electric car in recent years were below the €80,000 threshold. "This means that the lower half of those who have privately purchased a car in recent years can benefit from this incentive." Electric company cars are supported through lower tax rates.
Schneider expects more affordable cars
Last year, around 80% of newly registered electric cars and plug-in hybrids in Germany were produced in Europe, Schneider said. Plug-in hybrids are cars that can run on both electricity and fuel.
The top ten newly registered electric vehicle models also show how strong the German auto industry is, the minister added. "This year, more and also more affordable models from German manufacturers will come onto the market."
According to figures from the Federal Motor Transport Authority, last year the eleven most frequently newly registered pure electric cars came from the VW Group or the BMW Group, led by VW's ID.7 and ID.3. The situation for plug-in hybrids is not quite as clear, but even here, seven of the ten most popular models come from BMW, Mercedes, or the VW Group.
Support not just for pure electric cars
Less money is available for so-called plug-in hybrids, which can run on both electricity and fuel. For these cars and vehicles with a range extender, the base incentive is €1,500. Range extenders are small combustion engines that increase the range of electric cars.
For cars with these technologies to be eligible for support, they must emit no more than 60 grams of CO₂ per kilometer or have an electric range of at least 80 kilometers. From July 1, 2027, the incentive is to be reviewed, with plans for criteria that focus more closely on real-world CO₂ emissions.
Schneider does not fear another abrupt end to the incentive program, as happened at the end of 2023 under the previous "traffic light" coalition of SPD, Greens, and FDP. "The funds are adequate" and should be sufficient for now, he assured./hrz/DP/mis
