German car industry to invest RM183b in EVs

By BLOOMBERG

MUNICH • Germany’s automotive industry will invest over €40 billion (RM183.34 billion) in electric vehicles (EVs) over the next three years to triple the number of models vying for buyers, the head of the VDA car industry association said.

The plan is pivotal to reach ambitious goals in the European Union to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and requires the expansion of charging infrastructure, VDA president Bernhard Mattes said on Saturday in a statement ahead of this week’s Geneva car show.

“The ramp-up of electric mobility is coming in Europe,” Mattes said. “This also demands the appropriate regulatory conditions — right across Europe.”

Carmakers are under pressure from record outlays on electric cars for a payoff that might be years away.

Consumers continue to balk at high sticker prices, limited driving ranges and patchy charging infrastructure.

With the number of electric models from Volkswagen AG (VW), Daimler AG and BMW AG reaching about 100 over the next three years, Mattes called for more incentives for buyers.

German automakers are also expected to spend €18 billion on connected and self-driving cars, VDA said.

The cost burden has prompted old rivalries to break down. Daimler AG and BMW AG last month announced they’d cooperate on self-driving vehicles, days after detailing plans to turn their merged car-sharing operations into a global player. VW and Ford Motor Co have agreed to cooperate on vans. — Bloomberg