The days of the ICE in Austria are coming to an end

[[MC]Ronin[MC]]

The days of the ICE in Austria are coming to an end

An end date has not yet been given, but the new government's measures are eloquent. It will begin with the "killing" of ICE in all public procurement by 2027.

 

 

 

The new Austrian federal government is formulating a series of targets to dramatically reduce CO2 emissions in its transport sector. The Austrian People's Party (ÖVP) coalition and the Greens are asking the public authorities to buy only vehicles that do not emit any CO2 emissions from 2022. Another major challenge for them is focusing on subsidies for the electrification of official fleets, taxis, rental cars, shared vehicles, public transport, and private cars.

The Government's 2020-2024 program states that the public sector should set a good example. For example, it should create binding guidelines to "make standard zero-emission public-sector procurement as soon as possible - possibly as early as 2022" (except for special vehicles, emergency vehicles and Army vehicles). On the other hand, the purchase of ICE cars should be an exception - "and it must be justified". From 2027, the program also states the goal of completely suspending new registrations of combustion engines in public procurement. Lifelong maintenance costs ("TCO / Total Cost of Ownership") will form the basis of the procurement process, including the consideration of environmental and health benefits.

Coalition partners want to continue subsidizing electric buses, hydrogen buses, including infrastructure and charging stations. The purchase of electric and fuel cell vehicles should also continue to be encouraged through subsidies for private customers. The current purchase subsidy amounts to EUR 3,000 for electric vehicles up to EUR 50,000 (private) and up to EUR 60,000 (companies, municipalities and associations). Plug-in hybrids and electric cars with the so-called range extender (ICE) receive a subsidy of € 1,500. Diesel plug-in hybrids do not receive one.

In addition, the new leadership intends to continue the # mision2030 program launched by the previous government. It seeks to create legislation to encourage "new registrations of taxis, rental cars and shared zero-emission vehicles" from 2025. By 2027, shared parking spaces for public parking lots will offer only fleet operators of clean electric vehicles. Car sharing service providers, call buses, taxis and shared taxis can expect to receive subsidies for converting their fleets to CO2 neutral.

Finally, Austria aims to participate in a pan-European research and innovation project to accelerate the electrification of transport. In December, the European Commission approved state aid worth a total of € 3.2 billion for this project. To date, seven EU Member States are participating: Belgium, Germany, Finland, France, Italy, Poland and Sweden.