Germany approves nearly 52,500 applications for electric-car subsidies

Germany’s new electric-car subsidy has already covered nearly 52,500 purchases, with approved support reaching about 230 million euros by the beginning of September.

The Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control, known as Bafa, said it had approved 52,473 applications by Sept. 1. The program began accepting applications on May 19 and also applies retroactively to vehicles registered since Jan. 1.

The subsidy focuses particularly on households with low or medium incomes. Bafa said most approved applications came from households earning no more than 45,000 euros a year. Depending on the vehicle model, household size and income, buyers can receive between 1,500 and 6,000 euros.

Volkswagen vehicles made up the largest group of approved applications, with 11,680 purchases. Tesla followed with 8,141 cars.

The government has set aside 3 billion euros from its Climate and Transformation Fund through 2029. Environment Minister Carsten Schneider expects the scheme could support the purchase of about 800,000 vehicles in total.