Abolition of the e-car premium would be a “serious breach of trust” for car manufacturers

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The Association of International Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (VDIK) has opposed statements by Federal Finance Minister Christian Lindner (FDP) in WELT AM SONNTAG for an early cancellation of e-car purchase premiums. “For good reason, in order to achieve the national climate goals, the governing parties in the coalition agreement announced the further development and continuation of the purchase premium for electric cars until 2025,” said VDIK President Reinhard Zirpel, according to the weekend announcement.

“E-vehicle manufacturers and their customers rely on it. An abrupt end to the e-car premium would therefore mean a serious breach of trust.”

Zirpel warned of a slump in the German market for e-cars and of increasing CO₂ emissions from traffic. “The discussion alone about an end to purchase premiums for electric vehicles is already leading to massive uncertainty. The federal government should end this speculation immediately,” he said.

Federal Finance Minister Lindner had previously spoken out in favor of abolishing purchase premiums for electric cars. “We simply can no longer afford misdirected subsidies,” he told WELT AM SONNTAG. “If I have my way, the purchase premiums for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, for example, will be abolished. So far, the cars have been subsidized with up to 20,000 euros over their lifetime, even for top earners. This is too much. We can save billions that we can use more sensibly.”

The finance minister is insisting that the federal government once again comply with the debt brake suspended in the corona pandemic in 2023. Lindner wants to prioritize projects. At the beginning of July, the cabinet wants to decide on the draft budget.