Additional federal support is now available for the change in the German auto industry towards more climate-friendly drives.
A designated “future fund” with a volume of one billion euros by 2025 is now ready to go, said Finance Minister Olaf Scholz (SPD) on Wednesday after a car summit with Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) and representatives from the industry, unions and countries.
"Our goal is for the German automotive industry to build the climate-friendly cars of the future, create new jobs and maintain added value."
The establishment of the fund, which specifically targets “auto regions” in Germany, had already been decided at the previous auto summit in November.
The specific design has now been clarified.
Economics Minister Peter Altmaier (CDU) said: "We want the mobility of the future to continue to be mobility 'made in Germany'." The fund is an important instrument for accompanying the transformation and securing jobs.
Further training is also promoted
Specifically, according to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, 340 million euros are to be made available for regional “transformation networks” in order to bring local actors together and develop strategies.
Another 340 million euros are to advance digital solutions.
Around 320 million euros are intended to support medium-sized companies, among other things, in converting production to electric drives and fuel cells.
Further training concepts for employees are also to be funded.
The Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) welcomed the fact that the fund is now in place.
"Our goal is to make the transformation into a job, growth and economic engine," said President Hildegard Müller.
Above all, a good charging network for e-cars at home, at work, in retail and on the streets is necessary.
IG Metall boss Jörg Hofmann emphasized: "From the point of view of the employees, it will be decided in the regions whether the transformation will succeed or lead to job losses and prosperity." Regional networks must now be implemented quickly. The first regions such as Saarland, South Westphalia and Southeast Lower Saxony are ready.