Bundestag approves extension of benefits for electric vehicles in Germany

The German Bundestag on November 5 approved a bill to extend special rights for electric vehicle owners until the end of 2035. The document provides for the preservation of parking benefits and the use of dedicated lanes, and also expands the possibilities of local authorities to support electric transport.

This is reported by the official website of the Bundestag. The decision was also confirmed by the German publications Deutschlandfunk and n-tv.

According to the adopted bill, special rights for electric vehicles, which were supposed to expire on December 31, 2026, are planned to be extended until December 31, 2035.

Amendments are being made to the German Electromobility Act (Elektromobilitätsgesetz, EmoG), which has been in force since 2015.

What benefits are provided for electric vehicles

German legislation allows cities and municipalities to grant owners of electric cars certain advantages when using road infrastructure.

In particular, the following possibilities are involved:

• Free or reduced parking on municipal parking lots.
• Use of dedicated lanes, including bus lanes, where specially permitted.
• Reservation of parking spaces for electric vehicles.
• Special access conditions to certain road sections.
• The possibility of reducing or completely abolishing the fee for a resident parking permit in the relevant district.

At the same time, the listed advantages will not automatically apply throughout Germany. Specific conditions are determined by local authorities, and the use of special lanes and parking spaces is regulated by road signs.

To receive a number of benefits, the car must have a special German registration plate with the letter E, confirming its compliance with the requirements of the electromobility legislation.

In addition, the bill provides for simplification of parking rules during charging at public charging stations. In the future, a special E-number should not be mandatory for such parking.

Benefits will be extended to new types of transport

The bill expands the list of vehicles for which municipalities may establish special advantages.

In addition to passenger cars and light commercial transport, it is possible to provide benefits for electric buses, as well as medium and heavy electric trucks.

According to the German Ministry of Transport, the changes are aimed at accelerating the transition of commercial and public transport to electric traction.

The authorities also hope to give municipalities more opportunities to regulate parking and organize charging infrastructure.

Separately, the conditions for granting benefits to plug-in hybrid vehicles are being revised. Their requirements are planned to be harmonized with the current taxation rules for company cars.

When the changes will come into force

Despite the Bundestag's approval, the legislative procedure is not yet complete. The bill must receive the approval of the Bundesrat, the chamber representing the German federal states.

After the completion of the legislative procedure and the official publication of the amendments, the new provisions may enter into force.

For electric vehicle owners, including Ukrainians living in Germany, the main significance of the decision is the possibility of maintaining parking and road privileges after 2026.

At the same time, the extension of special rights under EmoG should not be confused with tax benefits or state subsidies for the purchase of electric vehicles. These measures are regulated separately and have their own eligibility conditions.