Traffic light politicians reject new purchase premium for e-cars

Berlin Leading politicians in the traffic light coalition reject a new purchase premium for electric cars. “I see the manufacturers as having a duty to offer cheaper cars,” said transport policy spokesman for the FDP parliamentary group, Bernd Reuther. If the state subsidized prices permanently, the car companies would never lower them, he justified his negative attitude.

The FDP politician received approval from the Greens. “It is important to enter into dialogue with the manufacturers so that not only large cars, but also small and medium-sized cars are produced at low prices,” demanded their spokesman for transport policy, Stefan Gelbhaar.

The trigger for the debate is the current slump in sales of electric cars. In the hope that manufacturers would bring more vehicles onto the market at low prices, the federal government decided last year to reduce the subsidy, known as an environmental bonus, from 2023 and to let it expire by 2025. As a result, however, demand collapsed by more than 80 percent.