BERLIN, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- A total of 19,993 requests for the German government's purchase premium for an electric car or plug-in hybrid were registered in July, more than in any other month since the introduction of a bonus in June 2016, the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy announced on Monday.
A total of 69,606 requests for the purchase premium had been submitted since the beginning of the year, an increase of 78.6 percent compared with the previous year, according to ministry.
The premium "is effective and pushes forward electric mobility in Germany," said Peter Altmaier, Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, adding "This benefits consumers, companies and the environment."
In order to lower by around 40 percent transport-related emissions from the 1990 levels by the year 2030, the government is seeking to have seven to ten million electric vehicles registered in the country by 2030.
Germany's economic stimulus package to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 crisis also included a premium for electric vehicles. The government decided to double its share of the premium so that fully electric cars now would receive subsidies of up to 9,000 euros (10,053 U.S. dollars) until the end of 2021.
"The increased funding provides further economic stimulus at the right time" in Germany, stressed Altmaier. Enditem
