Three times higher than 2019: record number of applications for e-car funding

Since July, over 100,000 applications for funding for electric cars have been submitted in Germany – more than in the entire previous year. In October alone there are over 32,000 and a new record, according to a media report. The responsible federal office is already increasing its number of employees.

According to a media report, the federal government has a record number of applications for funding for electric cars. In October alone 32,324 such applications were submitted, reports the "Bild" newspaper, citing information from the Federal Ministry of Economics. That is three times as many applications as in the previous month.

Since July, more than 100,000 applications have been made, more than in the entire previous year. The Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA) has increased the number of responsible employees by 40 percent for processing. In addition, from November 16, it should be possible again to combine the "environmental bonus" to promote pure e-cars as well as hybrid and hydrogen vehicles with other public funding programs.

Federal Minister of Economics Peter Altmaier had also caused annoyance among other ministries, because although the purchase premium for e-cars was increased to up to 9,000 euros as part of the Corona aid package, the combination with numerous special programs by the federal government, states and municipalities was no longer permitted . After severe criticism, an examination of this combination ban was initiated.

Thanks to the high level of funding from the federal government, the market share of electric cars and plug-in hybrids in September of this year was at a record level with a market share of 15.6 percent of new registrations (August: 13.2 percent). Sales had quadrupled compared to the previous year (plus 337 percent).