The Association of International Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (VDIK) congratulates the new federal government under Chancellor Friedrich Merz on its election and pledges its full support for the political challenges ahead. Success now depends on the success of the automotive transformation and thus strengthening Germany as a business location. The VDIK therefore welcomes the coalition government’s declarations of intent to ramp up electromobility and at the same time calls for a concrete plan on the scope and implementation of the support measures outlined in the coalition agreement.
“The new federal government must now quickly turn its vision for the ramp-up of electromobility into action. We finally need clarity for prospective buyers regarding the planned support measures. Chancellor Merz must anchor the promotion of electric cars and the reduction in electricity prices in his immediate action program in terms of content and timing. Before the summer break, it should be clear to every car buyer what the long-term costs of buying or leasing an electric car will be,” says VDIK President Imelda Labbé.
The VDIK supports the proposals of the coalition parties, such as the intended creation of framework conditions, the accelerated expansion of the nationwide and demand-oriented charging network, the vehicle tax exemption for electric cars until 2035 and the promotion of plug-in hybrid technology (PHEVs). However, these vague proposals alone are not enough to bring about a drive turnaround. So far, the new German government has left open what long-term and stable framework conditions will look like in concrete terms. Even with an electricity price reduction of five cents per kWh, the price of electricity in Germany remains disproportionately high. However, affordability in particular will ultimately decide whether consumers can and want to switch to climate-neutral drives as quickly as possible.
“The lack of clarity has led to uncertainty and a reluctance to buy among e-car customers in recent months. The urgently needed ramp-up of electromobility is therefore not yet sufficient to achieve the CO2 targets. However, positive signals from incoming orders currently give reason to hope that the market for e-cars could recover somewhat. Only if the new German government succeeds in taking this momentum with it will we be able to help electromobility pick up speed together,” continued Labbé.
The VDIK also very much welcomes the impetus promised by the new federal government for a 25 percent reduction in bureaucracy to strengthen Germany as a business location and offers its support in concretizing the necessary measures.
