Kretschmer calls for the return of the electric car purchase bonus to save Zwickau!

Kretschmer calls for the return of the electric car purchase bonus to save Zwickau!

There is a lot of rumblings in Zwickau: Saxony's Prime Minister Michael Kretschmer has sent a strong signal for the future of the electric automobile industry. During a recent visit to the Volkswagen factory, he called for the purchase bonus for electric cars to be quickly restored in order to support the location. The Volkswagen site, which is known to be the first factory in the world to be fully converted to electric vehicles, is facing challenges. The production lines had recently been shut down due to sluggish demand for electric cars. Production has now started again after a week-long break, but the future of the plant remains uncertain.

During his visit, Kretschmer spoke of a purchase incentive of three billion euros promised by the federal government. “We need clarity quickly about how these funds will be used,” said the Prime Minister, who is supported by Federal Environment Minister Carsten Schneider in his vision to advance the transition to climate-friendly mobility. Both politicians see the purchase bonus as important support for low- and middle-income households to make it easier to switch to electric cars. This goal should not only benefit the people, but also secure jobs in the region. Around 9,200 employees currently work at the Zwickau factory.

The situation on site

The production capacity in Zwickau is considerable: over 300,000 vehicles can be manufactured here every year, but currently production is only a little over 200,000 units. Six models from the Volkswagen, Audi and Cupra brands are currently running at the factory, although only the Audi Q4 e-tron and its Sportback variant will remain in Zwickau. The planned relocation of the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5 and Cupra Born models to Lower Saxony raises questions about the long-term perspective of the location. An agreement between VW and the works council secures employment until the end of 2030, but uncertainty continues to hover over the employees' heads.

Concerns about the future of the plant are further increased by the planned switch of the glass factory in Dresden, which will stop producing the ID.3 by the end of the year. The plan is to convert the factory into an “innovation quarter” in collaboration with the TU Dresden.

Political efforts for electromobility

Politically, there are efforts to further advance electromobility. In the last few days, the Union and the SPD have agreed on a new funding program that is intended to help households in particular that want to buy a new electric car. As part of this initiative, company cars with combustion engines should also be taxed higher, and the additional revenue should flow into electromobility. Such a concept could give climate-friendly mobility an enormous boost.

These developments are extremely topical and affect not only Zwickau, but all of Germany. Retailers and citizens alike can be curious to see how the situation will develop in the coming weeks. The purchase bonus could provide a much-needed boost not only to the plant, but also to the entire region.

For further information and more detailed insights into the situation in Zwickau and the political situation, please view the original reports from Wall Street Online, car dealership and South German newspaper.