BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - Ahead of the top-level meeting on the auto sector at the Chancellor's Office, Green Party leader Katharina Dröge has called for progress on road and rail rehabilitation and electric mobility. "It's good that the German government is holding a mobility summit, because climate protection in the transport sector is at a standstill in far too many places," Dröge told the Deutsche Presse-Agentur.

"To achieve the climate targets, the transport sector must now finally make its fair contribution." He said this requires bold steps and clear priorities. Dröge called for accelerated planning for bridge renovation and the expansion of rail infrastructure, as well as more speed in the expansion of charging station infrastructure for e-cars.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) has called a top-level meeting on the future of the auto industry for Tuesday afternoon. Representatives from business, labor, science, the states and local authorities are expected to take part in the first meeting of the so-called "Transformation of the Automotive and Mobility Industry" strategy platform at the Chancellor's Office. The main purpose is likely to be an exchange of views.

IG Metall head Jörg Hofmann is also calling for more speed in the expansion of e-charging stations. "Germany must work at full speed to create the framework conditions for a successful ramp-up of electric mobility," Hofmann told the Stuttgarter Zeitung and Stuttgarter Nachrichten newspapers (Tuesday). "The main thing here is to expand the charging infrastructure more quickly, secure the supply of raw materials and value creation, and locate sufficient battery cell manufacturing in Germany and Europe," Hofmann said.

The municipal economy urges the expansion of the electric car charging network, especially in rural areas. "It is precisely the expansion of the charging infrastructure in sparsely populated areas that is a prerequisite for the breakthrough of electromobility and of central importance for the transport turnaround," said Ingbert Liebing, chief executive of the Association of Municipal Enterprises (VKU).

Liebing welcomed reports that automakers themselves are driving the expansion of charging infrastructure. "For a close-knit charging network, we need the cooperation of all stakeholders and, especially in sparsely populated areas, we still need considerable investment." So far, he said, it has been predominantly the municipal utilities and municipal companies that have shown commitment in these areas. A fast and successful traffic turnaround cannot be built solely on cherry-picking, i.e., setting up profitable fast-charging stations along highways. According to VKU data, more than half of all charging stations in Germany are in municipal hands.

The switch to e-cars is being held back by rising costs and a lack of infrastructure, according to a consumer survey by consultancy Deloitte. Despite a growing choice of models, only 16 percent of respondents would choose a pure electric vehicle when buying their next car. By the end of 2021, the proportion would be 15 percent. Lower operating costs and government purchase bonuses are key arguments for buying an e-car, he said. "Now electricity costs are skyrocketing, while subsidies are gradually being cut back and will even expire in 2025. This will lead to fewer electric cars being sold in the future," said industry expert Harald Proff.

Consumers cited range as their biggest concern: At 57 percent, it was named most frequently, followed by a lack of public charging infrastructure (47 percent), charging time and the lack of charging options at home (45 percent each). 75 percent of those surveyed in Germany would most often charge their e-car at home. This desire has increased compared to the previous year (70 percent), although charging options are lacking, especially in densely populated cities, Deloitte further reported.

The transport sector is clearly lagging behind in climate protection in Germany. There are differences between the Greens and the FDP in the German government over how to deal with this. This is also delaying the planned immediate climate protection program, which is intended to identify the next steps for achieving Germany's climate targets. There is also a dispute, particularly between the FDP and the Greens, over whether road or rail should be given priority in the faster expansion of infrastructure.

According to the German government, the meeting in the Chancellor's Office will focus on the goal of climate neutrality and maintaining value creation and employment in Germany. Climate neutrality means that only as many greenhouse gases are emitted as can be recaptured. Germany aims to achieve this goal by 2045./hrz/DP/tih