Information on the environmental bonus - Volkswagen takes over the share for current orders!

The German government recently announced at a press conference that the environmental bonus for electric cars would be terminated prematurely. Originally, it was only vaguely hinted that this would happen in the foreseeable future, but without giving a specific date. The surprising information then came at short notice: applications for the "environmental bonus" electric car purchase incentive can no longer be submitted after December 17, 2023. The Federal Ministry of Economics had announced this decision just one day earlier.

However, the sudden end of the state purchase premium for electric cars has triggered a wave of criticism. Subsidies that have already been promised are not affected by the premature end of the environmental bonus and will be paid out as planned. Applications received by the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (BAFA) up to and including December 17, 2023, will continue to be processed in the order in which they are received. However, this regulation means that electric cars registered after December 18, 2023 will no longer receive a premium, which is very annoying for many buyers.

Some manufacturers have already responded. By December 18, 2023, they have taken measures to support their customers when the subsidy is discontinued. It is advisable to check exactly what solutions the manufacturer of the electric car you have ordered offers in this case. Take Volkswagen, for example: the Group announced today in a press release that all eligible Volkswagen ID. models that private customers have ordered but not yet taken delivery of and registered by December 15, 2023, will be compensated for the federal share in addition to the manufacturer's share. If these vehicles are delivered and registered this year, customers will receive a subsidy of up to €6,750. If delivery and registration does not take place until the new year, i.e. by March 31, 2024, Volkswagen will pay a bonus of up to €4,500 - as originally promised by the German government.

It remains to be seen what will happen in 2024. However, it is expected that many manufacturers will introduce discounts and price reductions to compensate for the loss of the government bonus. In any case, it is advisable to contact the manufacturer of the vehicle ordered before taking hasty action.