Mobility: Bilger sees no need for ever-new e-car funding

Federal Transport Minister Steffen Bilger sees no need for new government incentives to buy electric cars after the current premium ends. "The funding is being used a lot," the CDU politician said during a company visit in Neumünster, but at the same time emphasized: "I don't think further funding for electric cars will be necessary in the future."

Electric cars are well developed and now also cost-effective, so they must assert themselves in the market. He believes that the chances of this are good, especially in times of high fuel prices, Bilger said. "We're doing everything to make electricity prices cheaper in Germany." In the weighing, many things already speak in favor of electric cars.

Funding pot with three billion euros

The program of the black-red federal government promotes the purchase and leasing of electric cars, certain plug-in hybrids that run on electricity and fuel, and electric cars with "range extenders". The prerequisite is a new registration since January 1, 2026. The amount of the subsidy depends on the vehicle, income, and family size and can amount to up to 6,000 euros. Three billion euros are available until 2029, which should be enough for 800,000 cars.

Bilger wants to promote traffic with electric trucks and other alternative drives for vans. There is a "huge potential" for climate protection here - especially when one experiences how vulnerable the global fuel supply is and how dramatic price fluctuations can be. Bilger visited the trading company Bartels-Langness with the supermarket chains Famila and Markant in Neumünster, which, with the ministry's funding, added two electric semi-trucks to its logistics fleet.