Electromobility: planned tax benefits will not come before the election
The German government wanted to promote electric cars in various ways. However, there was no majority for this.
German manufacturers in particular would have benefited from the increase in the list price limit from 70,000 to 95,000 euros. A well-equipped BMW i5, for example, easily breaks this barrier.
(Image: Pillau)
Two thirds of all new cars are registered by businesses, and for some models the proportion is even higher. So anyone who wants to support the car industry at a political level will generally first consider a steering effect to support this sales market. The federal government, which failed before its regular end, wanted to promote commercial electric cars. But this is no longer the case. There was no majority for the planned plans in the Bundesrat and Bundestag.
Company car for 95,000 euros
Two specific steps were planned. Firstly, the so-called 0.25 percent rule was to apply up to a gross list price of 95,000 euros. So far, it is 70,000 euros. If the company car costs no more, the employee only has to pay tax on the private use of the car at 0.25Â percent of the list price as a non-cash benefit instead of one percent. For a model costing 60,000 euros, this means that only 150 euros instead of 600 euros has to be taxed. The increase in the limit from 70,000 to 95,000 euros should apply retroactively from July 2024.
The second project will also not be implemented before the election. This involved the introduction of a special depreciation allowance. This would allow companies to write off electric company cars against tax over a period of six years. This was to apply for a limited period for purchases between July 2024 and December 2028.
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The parties' plans
In the short 2025 parliamentary election campaign, one of the issues being debated is how to help the economy. The parties are also focusing on the automotive industry. It is therefore to be expected that after the election there will be some form of new or already known instrument of state steering effect. The CSU, for example, is calling for a revival of the purchase premium, which is to amount to 3600Â euros. The Bavarian SPD is calling for billions as an incentive for e-mobility. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke out in favor of a European solution for an e-car purchase premium. Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck suggested boosting the purchase of electric cars with charging credits and tax incentives. Sahra Wagenknecht wants to financially support the purchase of economical combustion cars.
(mfz)