News Digest Item
15 Aug 2018

Federal auditors say buyers’ premium for e-cars strongly influenced by carmakers

Bundesrechnungshof

German carmakers had undue influence on the birth and design of the country’s buyers’ premium for electric cars, according to Germany’s Federal Court of Auditors (Bundesrechnungshof). Investigations suggest the carmakers’ share of the subsidy “was often offset against existing discounts, meaning it is questionable whether the car industry made a real contribution,” according to the auditors. Buyers of electric cars can get a rebate of 4,000 euros, half of which was meant to be paid by the carmakers.

Read the press release in German here.

For background, read the dossier The Energiewende and German carmakers.

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