Anyone purchasing an electrically powered vehicle can now apply to receive further public funding in addition to the eco-bonus incl. innovation premium. This means that buyers can benefit from even higher subsidies. The revised Directive on the promotion of sales of electrically powered vehicles (eco-bonus) has been in force since 16 November 2020. Commenting on this change, Minister Altmaier said: 'With more than 34,000 funding applications for electric cars having been made in October, the eco-bonus has broken its own record for the fourth month in a row. This shows that the interest in electric cars continues to grow, which is a good signal for climate change mitigation. We want to continue to support this trend.' In October 2020, 32,324 eco-bonus applications were submitted for a total of 34,213 vehicles. Since the introduction of the innovation bonus in July 2020, more than 100,000 applications have been made. This is already well above the total figure for 2019.
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The 'European Conference on Batteries' will takie place as a virtual event from 24 to 27 November 2020 as part of the German Council Presidency. The focus of the conference will be 'The batteries of the future, the future of batteries'. Participants from industry, research and government want to come together to exchange information on developments in battery cell production, discuss important trends, and promote cross-border cooperation. The event also marks the launch of two major European projects that will focus on the entire battery value chain – designated 'Important Projects of Common European Interest' (IPCEIs), one of which is being coordinated by Germany. Batteries are considered a key technology for the energy transition. They have since become an essential component in electric vehicles, industrial products, and power grids etc.
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Companies with particularly high corporate standards for mitigating climate change and saving energy can apply to become members of the 'Companies mitigating climate change' (Klimaschutz-Unternehmen) initiative. By joining, they voluntarily commit themselves to meeting high climate and energy efficiency targets. Speaking at the award ceremony for eight new members of the business network in November 2020, State Secretary Thomas Bareiß said: 'Such flagships clearly demonstrate that we can only successfully protect the environment if we work in cooperation with companies. I therefore encourage other companies to join the initiative.' Since 2009, the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety, the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, and the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) have been honouring companies that demonstrate a special commitment to mitigating climate change. The next round of applications is expected to start in February 2021. Information on membership can be found at www.klimaschutz-unternehmen.de/mitglied-werden.
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