The abrupt postponement of the electric vehicle (EV) subsidy announcement has drawn sharp criticism from Christian Dürr, chairman of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), who accused the governing coalition of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and Social Democratic Party (SPD) of a profound lack of direction. Dürr, speaking to the Funke-Mediengruppe newspapers, characterized the delay as evidence of the coalition’s own disorientation within a complex web of responsibilities, criteria and intricate regulations.
Beyond the procedural hiccups, Dürr launched a scathing critique of the subsidy’s fundamental premise. He dismissed the initiative as an “expensive eye-wash” arguing that its costs would be borne by all citizens while the benefits would accrue primarily to a select few who can already afford new vehicles. He cautioned that manufacturers are likely to factor the subsidy amount into the purchase price, effectively neutralizing any real financial relief for consumers.
The FDP leader further questioned the practicality of the planned tiered structure, which seeks to differentiate subsidies based on family status, income and other variables. Dürr predicted that this layer of complexity would inevitably generate “an unbelievable flood of bureaucracy” hindering rather than facilitating consumer adoption of electric vehicles.
Dürr emphasized the need for decisive, growth-oriented policies to support Germany’s vital automotive industry. He argued that short-term, debt-financed subsidies are not the answer, instead advocating for genuine reforms – including, notably, the repeal of the combustion engine ban. The latter, he contended, poses “an acute threat” to hundreds of thousands of well-paid jobs across the country. This intervention signals a deepening rift within the governing coalition regarding the best approach to navigate the country’s automotive transition and its potential economic implications.
