Funding for electric cars increased to 5,000 euros

Funding for electric cars increased to 5,000 euros

Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) and Günther Kerle (spokesman for automobile importers) presented the new subsidies in a joint press conference. "We want to invest in the future on the way out of the corona crisis. That's exactly what we're doing with the offensive for e-mobility," explained Gewessler. Both private individuals and businesses can now count on a subsidy of 5,000 euros (instead of the previous 3,000) when purchasing an electric car. The funding amount for plug-in hybrid cars with range extenders will also be increased to 2,500 euros (instead of 1,500). Apart from cars, two-wheelers and the expansion of private charging stations are being given greater support. From now on there will be 1200 instead of 1000 euros for electric motorcycles and 800 instead of 700 euros for electric mopeds. The state pays 600 euros for home charging stations instead of the previous 200 euros. According to Gewessler, the scope of the total e-mobility funding for 2019 and 2020 is 93 million euros.

Guys: “Borders on discrimination”

“However, we would like to make it clear that the increase in the e-mobility bonus is a clear signal for the future, but for us it does not represent the support and economic stimulus measure that we would like and urgently need in times of the Covid-19 crisis,” emphasized Kerle. The automotive industry has been hit hardest by the crisis and would like special economic stimulus measures. But even in the current draft, cars are excluded from measures such as declining depreciation. Not even electric vehicles are included. This borders on “discrimination,” says Kerle. The Austrian automotive industry represents 315,000 jobs and a gross value added of 26 billion euros.