VDIK welcomes extension of the innovation bonus

The Association of International Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (VDIK) welcomes the announcements of the Federal Government for further subsidies for climate-friendly mobility. “By extending the innovation premium until 2025, the breakthrough of electric mobility that we are experiencing this year can be sustained. This will create planning security for customers and manufacturers,” said VDIK President Reinhard Zirpel. With the innovation bonus, the Federal Government has doubled its share of the environmental bonus since June. Together with the manufacturer’s share, the subsidy for electric vehicles has thus increased to up to 9,000 Euro. However, the measure was originally supposed to expire at the end of 2021, which could have led to a slump in new electric car registrations in 2022. This danger has now been averted.

The international manufacturers are contributing to the success of electromobility with an extensive range of electric vehicles. Currently, the VDIK members offer over 80 electric models that customers in Germany can order.

The Federal Government is also planning a fleet renewal program for trucks. The market for heavy commercial vehicles in Germany slumped by 41 percent in the first half of the year. This has also delayed the spread of fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly modern trucks. “The fleet renewal program can help to avert dangers to jobs and businesses in the commercial vehicle industry, which has been badly hit by Corona. It is also good for the climate and the environment because there are now strong incentives to phase out old vehicles with high emissions,” Zirpel continued.

To implement the extended innovation premium, the Environmental Bonus Directive should now be carefully revised. The amendments in the current year include procedural simplifications and new bureaucratic regulations, for example on leasing or used cars. These must now be critically reviewed and made less complicated.