Joining Forces In Research

2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 05:39

Shortly before the electrical summit in the Chancellery on May 3rd, the industry advocates joining forces in research and development. A market incentive program has not yet come into question for the federal government.

Research and development for electric cars in Germany should be better coordinated. At an event with Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) in Berlin on May 3, the federal government and the German auto industry want to give the go-ahead for a national platform for electromobility.

Bundling of forces

In view of foreign competition, it is a matter of keeping the development and production of electric vehicles in Germany, said the spokesman for the Association of the Automotive Industry, Eckehart Rotter, on Tuesday. "It's about bundling the strengths of science, industry and politics." For example, more powerful batteries would have to be developed and a network of charging stations set up.

The grand coalition had already developed a development plan for electromobility. The goal is to have one million electric cars on German roads by 2020. As the newspaper “Die Welt” reported (Tuesday), seven working groups with representatives from the industry are now to develop the first foundations for an electric car concept by autumn, which should be completed by spring 2011.

No market incentive program for the time being

The "Handelsblatt" reported that the government initially wanted to limit itself to promoting research and development. A market incentive program hoped for by the industry could not be financed, it said, citing government circles. This means that 2.5 billion euros in funding could be raised by the end of the legislative period. This sum already includes the 500 million euros made available with the economic stimulus package II.

A Joint Electromobility Office of the Federal Government has been located in the Ministry of Economic Affairs since February 1st. Economics Minister Rainer Brüderle (FDP) and Transport Minister Peter Ramsauer (CSU) share the political lead on the subject. (dpa)