Cabinet approves electric mobility law
“The measures approved can give electric mobility a boost. Unequivocal identification of e-models as such will make these vehicles visible in road traffic. Allowing them to drive on bus lanes, or providing cost-free parking spaces, will make electric driving attractive,” said Matthias Wissmann, President of the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), commenting on today’s Cabinet approval for a German Electric Mobility Act. “These incentives will have to apply nationwide if they are to persuade customers to go electric. So it is important to have a concerted approach from the national government, the federal states, cities and municipalities.”
Wissmann pointed out that the new law should enter into force quickly. “That is a first step in the right direction and others have to follow,” the VDA president stressed. For example the research and development projects should be continued in their present form, and training and qualification measures should be promoted. Wissmann added, “Germany is in a good position concerning electric mobility. There is no other country where customers have such a wide range of electric models to choose from. International evaluations show that the German automotive industry is in pole position among the nations offering electric cars.” By the end of the year, 17 series models from German production plants will be on the market, and another twelve will follow in 2015.
On the other hand, Wissmann said, Germany still had some catching up to do on international competitors on its way to becoming the leading market. “Politicians should first turn their attention to company cars so that electric mobility will take off. For instance, there should be intelligent depreciation options for companies procuring e-cars. The National Platform for Electric Mobility recommended making 50 per cent of the costs tax-deductible in the first year. It would be good if this were decided by mid-2015 at the latest, because electric vehicles can be deployed especially usefully and economically in the business sector, which accounts for around 60 per cent of the new vehicle market. In addition, for a successful market ramp-up public bodies should set a good example by renewing their own fleets,” Wissmann stated.
