ACE criticizes cuts: Catastrophic signal for traffic transition

The draft from the Federal Ministry of Finance for the budget committee's adjustment meeting tomorrow primarily envisions cuts in the transport sector, particularly for climate-friendly modes of transportation such as rail, cycling, and electric mobility. From the perspective of ACE Auto Club Europe, these are "catastrophic conditions that make the successful transformation of transportation nearly impossible."

Stefan Heimlich, chairman of the ACE, criticizes: "The government is cutting in entirely the wrong place. It wants to place a greater burden on the transport carriers that are crucial for the transformation of transportation. For instance, a series of cuts are planned for rail, which primarily affect its attractiveness and accessibility. But it is precisely these measures that need to be advanced to encourage more people to switch to public transport. The interconnection with other modes of transport, such as cycling, must also be promoted to raise awareness of sustainable mobility."

Massive Cuts in E-Commercial Vehicles and Buses

Instead, the government wants to discontinue corresponding funding programs such as "bike parking facilities at train stations." However, the most significant cut would affect electromobility: Not only does the government plans to save money with the sudden stop of the environmental bonus, which has caught many consumers off guard, but there are also massive cuts expected in the purchase of climate-friendly commercial vehicles and the promotion of buses with alternative drives.

"Overall, these are catastrophic signs for the mobility transition, which must be averted in the reconciliation session," summarizes Stefan Heimlich.