The sudden halt in government support for electric vehicle subsidies has sparked significant concern within the SPD Bundestag faction. Three deputy leaders expressed deep dismay over the abrupt announcement made on Saturday, labeling the decision to stop the subsidies by December 17 as extremely unfortunate. They emphasized the need for Climate Protection Minister Habeck to ensure a smoother and more dependable transition for this policy change.
Detlef Müller, Matthias Miersch, and Verena Hubertz, representing the faction, highlighted the practical challenges faced by citizens. For many, purchasing a new car involves meticulous financial planning, with the subsidy factored into their budgets.
While they stand in support of the subsidy’s premature conclusion due to fiscal constraints across various sectors, they stress the necessity for more considered and gradual adjustments. The ministry, led by Robert Habeck, originally aimed for the electric vehicle subsidy program to extend until the end of 2024, or until funds were depleted. However, the new directive restricts further processing of applications beyond December 17, 2023.
Responding to criticisms, the ministry clarified that the decision, made in collaboration with the Chancellor’s Office under Olaf Scholz, was regrettable but deemed necessary due to insufficient funds to accommodate applications received after the set date.
The automotive industry, represented by the Central Association of the German Automotive Industry (ZDK), echoed similar concerns. ZDK President Arne Joswig expressed deep disappointment, citing the breach of trust for numerous customers who had ordered electric vehicles under the expectation of receiving the subsidies. Joswig urged an extension of the environmental bonus until the year’s end, emphasizing the importance of keeping registration offices open to facilitate registrations until December 31, 2023.
Estimates suggest around 60,000 vehicles could be affected, with each vehicle expected to receive a subsidy of 4,500 euros. Joswig emphasized the potential financial burden on affected customers, amounting to approximately 270 million euros. Furthermore, he expressed concerns that the goal of having 15 million battery-electric vehicles on German roads by 2030 might now face even greater challenges due to this sudden policy shift.
