Customers surprised – Germans end financing of e-cars – and Austria?

Safety planning looks different than what happens with our neighbors. Only applications received before December 17 will be processed. According to the ministry, financing for the e-car should actually expire at the end of 2024 – or earlier, if the money runs out. And it is precisely with this aside that the government is now justifying itself. There was never a “funding guarantee”, but it was clear: “When the money is gone, it’s gone,” says Finance Minister Christian Lindner, the innocent lamb.

This is different in Austria: it was recently decided here how the promotion of electromobility will continue. “The total financing budget for e-mobility of the Ministry of Climate Protection for the coming year amounts to 114.5 million euros,” says the Federal Ministry for Climate Protection, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology. That is more than before and an amount that should be sufficient for new registrations in 2024 – although the state is even going the extra mile when it comes to electric two-wheelers.

E-car subsidy as usual
Anyone who wants to buy an electric car can count on the same amounts and conditions as before. Private individuals receive a state subsidy of 3,000 euros from the state and 2,000 euros from the dealer, which amounts to 5,400 euros including VAT. Provided that the basic model does not cost more than 60,000 euros gross.

The state no longer offers subsidies for plug-in hybrids, although newer models offer electric ranges that make them suitable for everyday use for many owners using only battery power. Funding has expired and is no longer accepted.

Higher government funding for e-two-wheelers
From 2024, federal financing shares for electric motorized two-wheelers will be increased. For e-mopeds, the federal financing share will be increased from 450 euros to 600 euros; for e-motorcycles with a power of less than 11 kW, the federal share will increase from 700 to 1,200 euros; e-motorcycles above 11 kW will be financed by the state instead of 1,400, in the future financed with 1,800 euros. In addition, there is the dealer share (which remains the same) of 350 euros for e-mopeds and 500 euros for e-motorcycles.

There is up to 600 euros for wall boxes and charging cables, and those who install communal systems in apartment buildings get up to 1,800 euros. A maximum of 30,000 euros is available for publicly accessible charging infrastructure.

The LADIN funding program has set aside a further €10 million to promote charging infrastructure in previously underserved areas. “Traffic is still the problem child in climate protection,” said Climate Minister Leonore Gewessler. “With the e-mobility offensive we support the transition to emission-free cars.”

Almost a quarter of the registrations are electric
And the ministry confirms that the promotion of e-mobility is certainly achieving the desired success: in October, more than 23 percent of new car registrations were purely electrically powered vehicles. And almost 3 percent of all registered cars are electric cars.

Taxpayers provide the funding
Consumer advocates in Germany are criticizing the surprise end of e-car financing, but not the end itself. “Purchase bonuses were important in the short term to stimulate the spread of electric cars,” says consumer advocate Marion Jungbluth. However, in the long term, market recovery cannot be financed at the expense of taxpayers.