Austria to extend EV subsidies beyond 2018

Subsidies for purely electric cars and plug-in hybrids in Austria have been extended beyond the original expiry date of the end of this year. Details on the continuation of the programme should be published before Christmas.

Since November 2016, companies have received up to 3,000 euros and private individuals up to 4,000 euros for the purchase of new electric vehicles. This subsidisation is supported by both the federal government and car importers but was only valid until the end of this year.

The Austrian Federal Association for Electric Mobility (BEÖ) says that the funding programme has made a significant impact, with 20,000 purely electric cars now registered in Austria. The share of all new registrations is about 2.5 per cent.

In the course of the amendment, the association now advocates a broader spread of incentives. They suggest measures such as the introduction of a tax exemption for e-vehicles in addition to purchasing support, as is the case in Norway. In addition, they are of the opinion that the expansion of the private charging infrastructure should be accelerated by making changes to the housing law.

Eleven different energy companies are members of the Austrian Federal Association for Electric Mobility.

tt.com (in German)