The e-car subsidy, also known as the innovation bonus, is being extended. Until the end of 2025 there will now be money from the federal government and industry for the supposedly green revolution on our roads. On top of that, KfW is still pumping out its charging station subsidy, and billions more are being kept in the back. So there is a lot of money in the economic area to make our living space cleaner.
However, promoting e-cars only makes sense if they are operated with a sense of proportion. Stromer for the city in the space-appropriate small car format can represent an alternative to the combustion engine. Electric SUVs weighing 2.5 tonnes probably not. This was recently recognized by France, which is planning a penalty tax on overweight vehicles – unfortunately only on those with internal combustion engines.
The outrage of environmental lobbyists against the now extended funding of “dirty hybrids” (editor’s note: statement by a spokesman for Fridays for Future) is wrong. Because it was only the increasing pressure on the automotive industry that resulted in many half-baked solutions being thrown onto the market in a very short time. Of course, the carmakers are largely to blame for their fraudulent actions, especially when it comes to diesel engines. In order to be able to meet the ever-new exhaust gas and fleet consumption targets promptly, the part-time electrician was and is a useful assistant.
700 hp hybrid SUVs with E-license plates and the associated privileges are certainly a mockery. The ever-new emission regulations, last felt like a monthly cycle, but also. The preliminary climax of the campaign against the car is likely to be reached with the Euro 7 emissions standard from 2025. According to the current draft, internal combustion engines should, among other things, only be allowed to emit 30 mg NOx per kilometer (petrol engines previously 60 mg, diesel previously 80 mg). Please do not confuse these values with the number of grams for CO2.
The “highlight” here: the 30 mg must be adhered to under every conceivable load condition. Regardless of whether a car is driving up the mountain with its trailer or is in the flow of traffic on the acceleration lane. Reality looks different and so the draft law would mean the premature end of the combustion engine. It seems to be fashion, not only when it comes to cars, to want to make yourself heard with more and more unworldly views and suggestions. The moral winner (and scrap of donations) is the one who comes around the corner with the most absurd and least feasible idea.
But this frenzy does not help the environment or the individual citizen. Above all, however, it harms thousands and thousands of employees who are directly or indirectly employed in the automotive industry. Technology openness is necessary and should therefore not only be propagated, but also lived by politics and industry and supported by the ever new environmental associations. The fuel cell (long-haul), e-fuels (existing fleet) and new combustion engines can ultimately enter into a meaningful and sustainable coexistence with the e-car. Together with the increased use of buses, trains, bikes and, last but not least, your own pair of feet.
If you only want to.
Editor’s note:
Comments generally reflect the opinion of the respective author and not that of the editorial team and / or the company. (Text: Thomas Vogelhuber)
