Ex-Opel boss: E-cars without funding significantly more expensive than combustion engines

Created: 05/13/2022, 10:08 am

By: Simon Mones

The environmental bonus will be reformed from 2023.

According to ex-Opel boss Uwe Hochschurtz, a cessation would be a problem, especially for small electric cars.

Rüsselsheim – Anyone who is currently buying an electric car in Germany will still benefit from up to 9,000 euros net in subsidies.

At least if he gets his Stromer approved by the end of the year.

Some manufacturers have therefore guaranteed to deliver the cars on time – despite the lack of chips.

Because from 2023 the environmental bonus will be reformed and will then only apply to fully electric cars.

Two years later, the funding could then be phased out completely.

This could be a problem for smaller electric cars in particular.

"An e-car today costs about 50 percent more than a comparable combustion engine without subsidies," emphasizes former Opel boss Uwe Hochschurtz (58), who is taking on a new job at Stellantis after just eight months in office, in an interview with the Auto, Motor und Sport magazine.

Opel boss Uwe Hochschurtz does not believe that small electric cars are marketable without funding.

(Iconic image) © Arne Dedert/dpa

Ex-Opel boss: E-cars without funding significantly more expensive than combustion engines

The ex-Opel boss makes it clear that buyers of volume models are much more affected than customers in the premium segment.

It is therefore essential to continue the promotion so that smaller electric cars are also marketable.

Audi also does not believe in the success of the small Stromer, which is why the A1 and Q2 have no successors.

However, Hochschurtz, who recently advised his customers to buy electric cars, believes in the support and hopes “that the innovation bonus for purely electric vehicles will apply beyond 2022.

So that there can continue to be affordable, environmentally friendly small cars.”

Ex-Opel boss: Customers hardly ever drive long distances

The former Opel boss cites the Corsa-e as an example.

Without funding, the small Stromer costs at least 32,895 euros.

For the version with a combustion engine, however, the Rüsselsheim-based company is only asking for 19,940 euros.

A clear price difference, which is reduced somewhat by the environmental bonus.

However, the low funding does not seem to deter many customers, as a study shows.

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In addition to the funding, faster charging times and a better infrastructure are also decisive for Hochschutz that smaller electric cars are used.

“Most customers don't drive hundreds of miles every day, and once they can fast charge anywhere, they don't need oversized batteries.

That's why we need a denser charging infrastructure," emphasizes the ex-Opel boss.