This week the federal government finally decided to promote electromobility in Germany. In the end, however, the entire funding program somehow reads like a sales event for German automobile manufacturers. The restrictions, which are sensible on the one hand, make the range from VW, BMW and Mercedes appear particularly attractive in the end. In addition, the federal government first came to an understanding with the German manufacturers. The decision to split the funding means that funding is only available for vehicles for which the manufacturer contributes 50% of the funding amount. Importers are generally at a disadvantage because Germany is - contrary to what you often feel - not the center of the world.
The funding comes just in time for Volkswagen (Currently, VW dealers give up to 30% discount on the new Golf). The e-UP, the e-Golf, the Passat GTE and the Golf GTE are otherwise rather “high-priced” premium products. The electric B-Class is also being promoted and is otherwise hardly represented on the market. Smart has postponed the ED version of the smart, a decision that will now be regretted. At Ford there is currently only one e-car, at KIA and Toyota there is also only one PHEV or one electric car. However, Toyota still has a fuel cell vehicle in its range. BMW has the i3 and two plug-in hybrids in its range.
But while the German manufacturers were directly involved, the importers now had to try the calculator. Is the e-car promotion of the Federal Government worthwhile? Nissan and Renault have already agreed, Mitsubishi one still expects. A decision on the promotion of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and the EV I expect personally in the coming week.
Until we get the purchase price of the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (after deduction of funding) know, today we deal with the facts of the decided e-car premium:
Federal Government promotes electric cars and plug-in hybrids
- The start date is May 2016 (exact date not known !!)
- Eligible for premium are only electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. Hybrids without external charging are excluded. In addition, the manufacturer must participate in the promotion.
- Promotion for electric vehicles: 4.000 € (of which 50% must be taken over by the manufacturer!)
- Promotion for plug-in hybrids: 3.000 € (of which 50% must be taken over by the manufacturer!)
- Promotion for fuel cell vehicles: 3.000 € (of which 50% must be taken over by the manufacturer!)
- The promotion amounts to 1.2 billion euros (of which the car manufacturers: 600.000 must take over millions!)
- The promotion runs maximum until 2019, or until the pot is empty.
- Only vehicles up to an original price of 60.000 € will be supported.
So far, Mitsubishi has sponsored the Outlander PHEV with a completely separate “E-Car Bonus of € 4.000”, so you can assume that you will go with the sponsorship there. If you add the 50% of the € 3.000 funding from the federal government to the funding offered so far, it could soon be € 5.500 that Mitsubishi dealers deduct from the list price of the Outlander PHEV.
The Outlander PHEV would start at € 34.490! And we're talking about a four-wheel drive SUV with room for 5 and a big trunk. And an electric range of up to 52 km! We like to wait a few “hours” for the confirmation of the “three diamond mark”.