- This is how to convince customers of electric cars
Most car manufacturers are having a tough time selling their electric vehicles. Ever since government subsidies were phased out, many customers lack the incentives to choose an electric vehicle over a conventional one. Additionally, the prices of electric cars are often significantly higher than those of gasoline or diesel cars in the same class. Charging also doesn't come cheap - depending on the tariff and provider, it's often not much cheaper than filling up with fossil fuels at the pump.
So, how to inject some life into the market is a valid question. Apart from appeals to environmental consciousness, there are few answers. Instead, there are calls for bans, restrictions, and stricter regulations - which only serve to deter.
Not Bans, But Incentives
BMW's production board member Milan Nedeljkovic has better ideas: More incentives and privileges for electric vehicles - clear advantages in daily life. In an interview with "Merkur", he was asked about potential purchase incentives and a return of government subsidies. He deemed the latter "not sustainable" in the long run, but brought up new ideas.
"There are other ways to make E-cars more attractive: Such as privileged access to city centers, free parking, or a dedicated lane on the highway," Nedeljkovic said in the interview.
This idea would likely have an impact: While E-cars could zoom past traffic jams, drivers in stationary combustion engines might start considering switching their ride.
Benefits for Electric Vehicles Today
Free parking for electric cars is already a reality: In Hamburg, they have been allowed to park for free at all parking meters since November 1, 2015, up to the respective maximum parking time. Often, charging stations are also available in prime inner-city locations, allowing you to park in the first row - sometimes, but only for the duration of the charging process.
Despite the current slow sales figures, Milan Nedeljkovic doesn't agree with the doomsday narrative that's currently prevalent. "Germany is a strong economic region and industrial location, and one shouldn't bash it in general. Our country has many motivated and well-educated people, excellent research institutions, innovative suppliers, and a stable legal framework - these are advantages that shouldn't be overlooked," he explains.
However, the BMW board member laments that bureaucracy, high energy prices, and expensive location costs are hurting the German economy - similar to an aging road network and a need for improvement in digital infrastructure.
The introduction of privileged access to city centers, free parking, and a dedicated lane on highways for electric vehicles, as suggested by BMW's production board member Milan Nedeljkovic, could potentially entice drivers of conventional cars to switch to electric vehicles. Currently, electric cars in Hamburg can park for free at all parking meters, and charging stations are often available in prime inner-city locations.
