Bavaria’s Prime Minister Markus Söder has spoken out in favor of expanding and extending purchase premiums for electric and hybrid cars. “It is important that we keep the orders for a long time,” said the CSU politician at the digital “car summit” of the Handelsblatt . The manufacturers’ order books are currently well filled in the e- and hybrid business – also benefiting from the purchase incentives decided in summer.

In view of the upheaval in the industry and the consequences of the Covid – 19 – pandemic The aim must be to stabilize the car sector even further. With a view to alternative drives, according to Söder, the motto should now be: “Extend, expand and maybe set higher.” Upon request, he stated a period up to at least 2024 or 2025. The premium is valid until the end of 2021.

” Broader effect ” through hybrid cars Expanded funding for hybrids could also have a “broader effect” of the measures for the entire auto industry and at the same time a “higher achieve social acceptance “, believes the Prime Minister.

For the 17. November is another top meeting between the federal government, industry representatives and trade unionists as well as the heads of government of the so-called car countries Bavaria, Lower Saxony and Baden-Württemberg. The industry is struggling – parallel to the general decline in demand due to the pandemic – with the expensive switch to alternative drives and more digitization in production and products. Many jobs are at risk, especially with smaller suppliers. “We want to achieve the transformation,” said the Bavarian head of government, in whose federal state the headquarters of BMW, Audi and MAN are located.

The purchase premium for e- Cars led to a record of 19 in October. 324 Funding applications – three times as many as in the same month last year. The grants are limited to vehicles with alternative drives and until the end 2021. Pure e-cars, for example, are subsidized with 9000 euros according to the previous concept – the federal government takes over 6000 Euro, the manufacturer the rest.

Söder wants fossil burners from 2035 forbid Söder explained: “We still have to add and add.” At first he had also asked for bonuses for the purchase of modern diesel and gasoline cars in order to cushion the slump in sales caused by the virus crisis. In the meantime he is campaigning for a ban on fossil burners 2025: “I think that would be a good target. Longer than the corona pandemic affects the climate pandemic. ”

Open to hydrogen and synthetic fuel In the interests of the automotive industry, “a fundamental debate about Germany as an industrial location” is also necessary, affirmed Söder – with corporate taxes being cut by up to a quarter. Energy costs should also decrease. On the federal government’s planned funding program for automotive suppliers, he said: “I can only support that very much.” In addition to battery-supported e-mobility, one must remain open to fuel cell technology and synthetic fuels.

(fpi)