BEM sees electric car crisis: Overcome toxic indecisiveness

In light of the weakening market for electric vehicles due to supply or sales shortages in Germany and increased international price competition, the Federal Association for eMobility (BEM) has called on the federal government to overcome its "toxic indecisiveness" regarding the mobility transition.

"The traffic light coalition has indeed set the goal of introducing 15 million electric vehicles by 2035. However, if this is not achieved – and it seems likely – the contribution to CO2 reduction in traffic will also be missing. This will lead to mobility restrictions," forecasts BEM Board Member Markus Emmert.

If the government does not want to completely clash with society, it must promptly realize a transportation system that enables climate-neutral mobility in the country while "further developing a key pillar of our prosperity, the vehicle industry," Emmert further demanded. According to BEM, the necessary and currently feasible measures package includes a clear focus on electromobility while simultaneously burdening combustion engines.

"Those who remove the tax advantages from gasoline and diesel vehicles and consistently impose a CO2 tax on them will have sufficient budget to thereby provide a purchase premium for all electrically operated vehicles and give German manufacturers the absolutely necessary indications for a climate-politically desired product range," Emmert further notes.

The association also shares the general assessment that the German automotive industry has missed the transition and now needs orientation if it wants to continue to play a key role industrially in Germany. The association, which organizes 450 members from the field of electromobility and renewable energies, therefore sees clear framework conditions for an eMobility-First approach as necessary:

• Reintroduce environmental bonus and align it with energy efficiency
• Link wallbox funding to the purchase of eVehicles
• Expand car perspective to vehicle perspective, create funding conditions for lightweight vehicles, and improve commercial vehicles
• Link malus on combustion vehicles to engine displacement
• Digitize GHG quota trading and extend submission deadlines
• Introduce green electricity obligation at charging points
• End all diesel subsidies
• Aim for nationwide free public transport.