ZDK Automobile Dialogue: Electric, but How? Transformation Needs Reliability

"We want electric - but how?" This question was the focus of the 22nd Automobile Dialogue of the German Central Association of the Motor Vehicle Industry (ZDK). "Fully electric" is the Federal Government's motto; by 2030, 15 million electric cars are supposed to be on the road in Germany. Everyone seems ready for the shift to fully electric mobility, but after the subsidy ended, the sale of electric vehicles has stalled. Parliamentary State Secretaries Daniela Kluckert (FDP) and Michael Kellner (Alliance 90/The Greens) discussed the end of the environmental bonus, moderated by ZDK Managing Director Kurt-Christian Scheel.

Daniela Kluckert considers the decision difficult but necessary due to the Federal Constitutional Court's ruling. Sometimes painful interventions are needed. She emphasized that people who use electric mobility, especially those with a home, garage, or charging facilities at work, are generally very satisfied with it. The next game-changer is now bidirectional charging. In cities, e-mobility still doesn't work for many people. Affordable vehicles, the expansion of charging infrastructure, and network enhancements are needed. Michael Kellner also emphasized that permanent subsidies are not feasible but added that a gradual phase-out of the environmental bonus would have been better. However, the subsidy stop was inevitable. He remains optimistic nonetheless.

"With the exemption from vehicle tax valid until the end of 2030, we are promoting the purchase of electric cars. With measures in the field of R&D funding, we support the development of efficient vehicles and the transformation of the automotive economy. With these measures and the support of local people in car dealerships and workshops, I am very confident that we will successfully shape the ramp-up of electric mobility in the long term," says Kellner.

In a second round, moderated by Jürgen Hasler, ZDK Director of Policy, Christoph Ploß (CDU), Thomas Lutze (SPD), as well as Belinda Erkner, Managing Director of the Erkner-Autohaus Group, and Wolfgang Wüllhorst, Head of Fleet Management at Berlin City Cleaning (BSR), participated. Ploß noted that confidence in e-mobility is lower than it has been in a long time; the damage is massive and will burden the expansion of e-mobility for a long time. This is no surprise when you cut the environmental bonus overnight. A leading market for e-mobility needs reliable planning. He advocated for putting revenues from CO2 pricing into the transformation process.

"We have been running in circles since December last year. We need a quick solution; otherwise, the topic is done," said Thomas Lutze (SPD). Rapid framework conditions and consistency are needed, and there should be thoughts on how to better promote the purchase of e-cars, 45,000 euros for a mid-range car is too much. The automotive industry and legislators must work together on this."