Volkswagen welcomes German government's scheme to support low-emission cars

  • Germany earmarked fresh cash to help the auto industry, which is facing tough competition from Chinese and US rivals in electric mobility.
File photo of newly manufactured cars used for representational purpose only (REUTERS)
File photo of newly manufactured cars used for representational purpose only

Volkswagen on Wednesday said the German government's 3 billion euro ($3.57 billion) scheme to support low-emission cars sent a strong signal Berlin would help lift the country's key export industry out of the coronavirus and climate crises.

Germany on Tuesday earmarked fresh cash to help the industry, which is facing tough competition from Chinese and US rivals in electric mobility, to overcome a collapse in demand caused by the coronavirus.

Also check these Cars

Find more Cars
Volkswagen Polo 2024 (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
Engine Icon999 cc FuelType IconPetrol
₹ 8 Lakhs
Alert Me When Launched
Volkswagen Tiguan 2025 (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
Engine Icon1984 cc FuelType IconPetrol
₹ 37 Lakhs
Alert Me When Launched
Volkswagen Taigun (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon1498 cc FuelType IconPetrol
₹ 11.70 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers
Volkswagen Virtus (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon1498 cc FuelType IconPetrol
₹ 11.56 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers
Volkswagen Tiguan (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon1984 cc FuelType IconPetrol
₹ 35.17 Lakhs
Compare
Volkswagen Id.7 (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
BatteryCapacity Icon77 kWh Range Icon621 Km
₹ 70 Lakhs
Alert Me When Launched

A central element of the scheme is the allocation of 1 billion euros to extend to 2025 a consumer rebate for buying electric cars that had been due to end next year.

"The extension of the innovation rebate for passenger cars will further accelerate the ramp-up of electric mobility and thus drive the change to sustainable mobility," the world's largest carmaker said in a statement.

File photo used for representational purpose (Bloomberg)
File photo used for representational purpose (Bloomberg)

"At the same time, by rapidly expanding charging infrastructures, the German government is creating the necessary trust among customers for an easy and smooth transition to e-mobility," it added.

Also Read : Germany agrees $2.3 billion aid for auto industry to navigate technology shift

A further billion euros will be used for a scrappage scheme for older trucks to help logistics companies and municipalities modernise their fleets while another 1 billion euro fund will finance innovation.

Stephan Weil, premier of the state of Lower Saxony where Volkswagen is based, said transformation and digitisation processes urgently needed a boost.

"The faster a nationwide charging network is created and supplied by renewable energies, the more customers will choose electric vehicles," said Weil, who is a supervisory board member at Volkswagen.

Charging spots for electric vehicles in Germany have been rolled out quickly this year, with the burden to expand largely being placed on utilities, but many spots are underused as only 240,000 fully electric cars are on the road, according to energy group BDEW.

Get insights into Upcoming Cars In India, Electric Vehicles, Upcoming Bikes in India and cutting-edge technology transforming the automotive landscape.

First Published Date: 18 Nov 2020, 14:45 PM IST
NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS

Check Latest Offers

Please provide your details to get Personalized Offers

Choose city
+91 | Choose city
Choose city
Select a dealer

Want to get the best price for your existing car?

Powered by: Spinny Logo
By clicking "View Offers" you Agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy
Dear Name

Please verify your mobile number.

+91 | Choose city
Couldn't verify the OTP.
It's either expired or it's incorrect.