The car summit is taking place today under the leadership of Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck. In the run-up to the summit, several political and environmental groups, including the SPD, IG Metall and Greenpeace, have spoken out in favor of a purchase premium for electric cars. They see this as a necessary stimulus to boost the stagnating demand in the German automotive market and accelerate the transformation to electromobility.
The most important points in brief:
- SPD politicians call for a car replacement bonus of up to 6,000 euros
- IG Metall emphasizes the importance of the bonus for the preservation of jobs
- Greenpeace backs the promotion of small and climate-friendly electric cars
- Today’s car summit could be decisive for the introduction of these bonuses
Purchase premium: a lifeline for the automotive industry?
In view of the current challenges in the automotive industry, calls for a purchase premium are once again coming into focus. SPD politicians in particular see a state subsidy of up to 6,000 euros as an important measure, as reported by Stern magazine. This so-called car exchange bonus is intended to motivate consumers to exchange older combustion vehicles for new electric cars.
This measure is not only a step towards climate protection, but could also support the struggling automotive industry. In recent months, there has been a significant drop in demand for electric vehicles, which was mainly caused by the expiry of the previous environmental bonus and the ongoing uncertainty regarding the charging infrastructure. IG Metall strongly supports this proposal.
In a report in Bild am Sonntag, it emphasizes that a new purchase premium could not only boost sales of electric vehicles, but also secure jobs. The German automotive industry is facing a profound change that is putting jobs at risk, as VW is currently making clear. A bonus could therefore be a necessary bridge to make this transition socially acceptable.
Greenpeace: Focus on sustainable mobility
While the SPD and IG Metall are primarily focused on sales and jobs, Greenpeace has other priorities. The environmental organization is in favour of promoting small, resource-saving electric cars. In their opinion, large electric SUVs should not benefit from the premiums, as although they are electrically powered, they still leave a large ecological footprint. Greenpeace is therefore calling for a purchase premium that is linked to strict ecological criteria. This is necessary in order to make the transport transition truly sustainable.
Car summit as a signpost?
Today’s car summit could be decisive for the future of electromobility in Germany. Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck has made it clear that the focus must be on the future viability of the German automotive industry. The purchase premiums are at the center of the debate. It remains to be seen whether and in what form the government will respond to the demands of the various stakeholders. However, the agreement on a car replacement bonus could be a key step towards boosting the faltering market for electric cars and at the same time paving the way for more climate-friendly mobility.
