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New GroKo climate package: motorists pay extra, electricity is cheaper

2019-12-17T15:26:05.921Z


The GroKo has once again significantly revised its climate package. What are the consequences for consumers? The overview.



Union and SPD again sharpened their so-called climate package on Monday night. Their goal: to reduce CO2 emissions in Germany without choking the economy.

It is not yet possible to estimate how much the improved climate package will contribute to achieving this goal. In any case, it is better than the much criticized autumn version. The new version is intended to reward environmentally conscious behavior, but no consumer has to seriously fear for his standard of living or his freedoms. So who is burdened by the revised climate package? And who saves?

The basis: a higher CO2 price

The central lever to promote climate-friendly behavior is the CO2 price. Compared to the first climate compromise, GroKo has now raised this moderately.

  • As of January 1, 2021, the ton of carbon dioxide should now cost 25 euros, not just 10 euros as originally planned.
  • In 2022 the CO2 price will rise to 30 euros,
  • 2023 to 35 euros,
  • 2024 to 45 euros
  • 2025 to 55 euros.
  • From 2026, the price will ultimately be determined through an auction in a corridor between 55 and 65 euros per ton.

The pure CO2 price has no immediate impact for consumers at first. However, it affects many other downstream prices that directly affect citizens and businesses.

The consequences are particularly noticeable in three sectors: mobility, heating and electricity consumption.

mobility

Photo: Peter Kneffel / dpa

The climate package will significantly increase the price of petrol and diesel . As a rule of thumb, the liter of fuel would be around 1.5 cents more expensive at a CO2 price of 5 euros - and this trend will continue in five steps.

In 2021, fuel would be around 7.5 cents more expensive. According to the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW), the driver of an average diesel with a consumption of 4.6 liters per 100 kilometers and an annual consumption of 15,000 kilometers would pay around 54 euros.

In the coming years, if the CO2 price continues to rise, fuel would become even more expensive. At the currently planned maximum price of 65 euros per ton of CO2, it would be 19.5 cents per liter - or around 135 euros more annually.

However, those who drive a lot of cars, primarily for work-related reasons, will also be relieved by the government: the commuter allowance increases significantly from distances of 21 kilometers, initially by five cents per kilometer from 2021 and again by three cents from 2024 to then 38 Cents per kilometer.

Those who switch to the train will also get away cheaper. The VAT on train tickets will be reduced from 19 to 7 percent in 2020. Train travel should be a good ten percent cheaper.

CO2-intensive flying , however, is expected to cost more in the future: from spring 2020, the government plans to increase the air traffic tax. However, details have not yet been finalized.

Car buyers should also be motivated to buy more climate-friendly models. Vehicles with high emissions are expected to pay more vehicle tax from 2021, and details have not yet been determined here. For electric cars under 40,000 euros, however, the purchase premium will increase from 2021.

Heat

Hauke-Christian Dittrich / DPA

When it comes to heating, the higher CO2 price also plays a role in many households - especially where there is heating with oil or gas . According to calculations by the comparison portal Verivox, the consumption of 5000 kilowatt hours of gas with a CO2 price of 25 euros would cost around 30 euros more. The consumption of 500 liters of heating oil should cost 40 euros.

  • A single household with average consumption will have to adjust to this price increase from 2021 onwards.
  • A couple would pay a good 72 euros more for gas and around 95 euros more for heating oil.
  • A family would even have an additional cost of 120 euros for gas and 158 euros for heating oil.

From 2020, consumers who want to reduce their additional costs in the heating sector can invest in tax-subsidized renovation measures. When replacing an old oil heater, the state reimburses 40 percent of the costs.

electricity

Patrick Pleul / dpa

In the electricity sector, consumers should above all be relieved. The so-called EEG surcharge , through which citizens support the construction of new green power plants, is expected to decrease by around two cents per kilowatt hour by 2023. It is currently around 6.4 cents.

  • An average single household with 1400 kilowatt hours of annual consumption would be relieved of around 28 euros from 2023.
  • A couple with 2500 kilowatt hours of consumption would save 28 euros.
  • A four-person household with an annual consumption of 4000 kilowatt hours would be relieved of 80 euros.

Conclusion

The federal government's climate package redirects capital flows to a not inconsiderable degree. Most consumers have control over how expensive their own standard of living will be in the future. More environmentally friendly behavior will be rewarded much more in the future.

Source: spiegel

All business articles on 2019-12-17

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