Source: Saz Bike

The European Commission has recently unveiled an action plan for the European automotive industry, however it excludes purchasing incentives and social leasing programs for bicycles.

While this initiative aims to accelerate the transition to electric mobility, concerns have been raised about the exclusion of e-bikes from such funding and promotional measures.

Advocacy for e-bike inclusion

Organizations such as Agora Verkehrswende and Zukunft Klimasozial have already published policy papers advocating for the expansion of electric car usage. However, stakeholders in the cycling industry argue that a comprehensive approach to electromobility should include e-bikes to ensure a socially equitable and sustainable transition.

Wasilis von Rauch, Managing Director of German association Zukunft Fahrrad (Future Bicycle), criticized the exclusive focus on electric cars, stating, “Demanding purchasing subsidies only for e-cars sends the wrong political signal. The e-bike in particular is an efficient and healthy form of electromobility – even in rural areas – and is essential for the federal government’s expansion target for cycling. We are calling for sensible electromobility subsidies that combine socially staggered purchase subsidies for small e-cars with a bonus for switching to e-bikes – when buying, subscribing or sharing.”

Economic significance of e-bikes

E-bikes have emerged as a significant economic driver, with Germany positioning itself as a leader in e-bike innovation and market development. To date, approximately 13 million e-bikes have been sold in Germany. However, after experiencing a boom during the COVID-19 pandemic, e-bike sales have now stagnated. Industry experts warn that this downturn threatens not only the growth of cycling infrastructure but also jobs and revenues within the German bicycle industry. Restricting electromobility incentives solely to electric cars could have adverse effects on both business and industrial policy.

Germany’s cycling targets and challenges

The German Federal Government has committed to ambitious cycling targets under the National Cycling Plan (NRVP 3.0). Initially introduced by former Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer (CDU), the plan aims to double cycling performance in Germany between 2017 and 2030, increasing from 112 to 224 million kilometers per day. The current traffic light coalition has affirmed its intention to implement NRVP 3.0. In February 2023, the CDU/CSU proposed a binding implementation law for the plan in the Bundestag.

However, recent findings from the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (Fraunhofer ISI) indicate that, without additional measures, cycling performance is projected to grow by only 20% between 2017 and 2035. This falls significantly short of the doubling target set for 2030, highlighting the urgent need for further policy support to enhance cycling infrastructure and e-bike adoption.

Future of e-mobility policy

As the European Commission introduces its e-mobility action plan, cycling advocates continue to push for a more inclusive approach that recognizes e-bikes as a crucial component of sustainable transportation. The coming months will determine whether European policymakers integrate these perspectives into their broader electromobility strategy.