VDIK Criticizes New Environmental Bonus Directive

The Federal Government has published the new environmental bonus directive. Unfortunately, it does not provide for a customer-friendly option to reserve the bonus. This means that it will still not be possible to apply for the environmental bonus at the time of purchase, but only once the vehicle has been registered.

Reinhard Zirpel, President of the Association of International Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, says: “Despite many requests from dealers, consumers and associations, the German government was unable to decide to at least reintroduce an application procedure for the environmental bonus that is predictable for customers. Many customers now have to hope and fear until the end of the year that their ordered electric vehicle can be registered in time. They otherwise face a complete or partial loss of the subsidy.”

By capping the budget funds remaining for 2023 and 2024, the German government is unfortunately creating further uncertainty for the environmental bonus. In the future, customers will no longer know at the time of purchase whether they will still receive the subsidy. Zirpel continues: “The result is a subsidy on a first-come, first-served basis, which means the opposite of planning security. We fear that many buyers will react to this uncertainty and forgo the purchase of a zero-emission vehicle.”

Contrary to previous announcements, non-profit organizations will also no longer be able to benefit from the environmental bonus from September 2023.