This Sunday, the elections in Germany will determine, among other significant issues, the future of electric mobility in the country.
With an automotive industry undergoing profound transformation and ambitious climate goals, the new administration will need to take concrete measures to ensure the sector’s progress.
For its part, the Central Federation of the German Automobile Trade (ZDK) warns that the high costs of purchasing and operating electric vehicles (EVs) continue to be a barrier for consumers.
In discussions with Mobility Portal Europe, they claim that the lack of incentives slowed market growth, and that the incoming administration has an opportunity to rectify this situation.
“We trust and hope that the new government will be willing to provide the necessary impetus to the EV market to increase public acceptance of this technology, which is vital to achieving climate protection goals,” they declare.
The organisation also highlight the need for incentives aimed at younger groups, a key segment to consolidate the energy transition.
Finally, they propose other strategies to accelerate the adoption of eMobility, including the expansion of the charging network tailored to demand.
They also call for suitable conditions for bidirectional charging and a reduction in electricity costs.
Meanwhile, the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) emphasises that charging infrastructure remains one of the main outstanding issues.
The organisation stresses that a coordinated expansion plan is essential not only at the national level but across Europe to ensure interoperability and user trust.
“It is now crucial that the framework conditions for electric mobility are improved quickly and decisively to build consumer confidence,” the organisation states.
Like ZDK, they further emphasise the importance of reducing electricity costs by promoting greater competition in the energy market and eliminating unnecessary taxes and levies.
In their view, charging an EV should be significantly cheaper than refuelling a combustion engine vehicle.
Another key point for the VDA is access to strategic raw materials.
The association underscores that the new government must prioritise international agreements to secure the availability of raw materials and rare earths globally.
In this regard, the Association of International Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (VDIK) highlights that the path to climate neutrality requires regulatory stability and predictability in electrification support policies.
“It is essential to establish a long-term transformation plan, with predictable and stable promotion of the residual value of electric vehicles,” VDIK asserts.
For the association, the solution lies in tax benefits rather than direct subsidies, such as VAT reductions and tax exemptions for corporate fleets.
They also advocate for policies that offer concrete advantages to EV drivers, such as preferential access to urban areas and differentiated parking fees.
eMobility remains a key pillar of Germany’s industrial strategy
In the political realm, Member of the German Federal Parliament Daniela Kluckert, in an interview with Mobility Portal Europe, warns about the economic challenges facing Germany and their impact on sustainable mobility.
“In 2025, we will have had the second consecutive year of recession and could enter a third if we do not make fundamental changes now,” the legislator cautions.
While acknowledging that economic development and migration are the most pressing issues, she stresses that eMobility remains a key pillar of Germany’s industrial strategy.
From her perspective, the country needs a policy that promotes investment in innovation, reduces bureaucracy, and ensures a stable framework for the industry.
Outstanding challenges following the “Traffic Light” coalition Government
When the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), the Greens, and the Free Democratic Party (FDP) formed the “Traffic Light” coalition in 2021, they set ambitious goals for electric mobility.
These included reaching 15 million EVs and one million charging points by 2030.
Despite initial progress in tax exemptions and funding for key projects, internal disputes and budgetary restrictions have created obstacles.
This has affected investments, such as the local production of batteries, leading companies like Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis to reconsider their plans in Germany.
The business sector also expresses concern.
York Kolb, CEO of BRANDS IN GREEN GmbH, commented in an interview with Mobility Portal Europe: “The government’s indecisive approach and inconsistent subsidy programmes have eroded consumer confidence, delaying the transition to cleaner mobility.”
The expert recommends reintroducing subsidies for the purchase of EVs and accelerating the deployment of charging infrastructure, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses that face challenges in electrifying their fleets.
