The Federal Ministry of Economics has plans for purchase premiums cars, making propositions for both electronically operated new cars and new cars with diesel and gasoline combustion engines. Up to 5 billion Euros are earmarked for the efforts. However, the subsidy should be tiered, so that buyers of automobiles with a lesser level of emissions would receive more subsidies.

Lobby associations in the area of ​​environmental protection had criticized that the promotion of automobiles with internal combustion engines would favor climate-damaging technology. There was also criticism within the CDU, where some demaned to support the economy as a whole. SPD leader Walter-Borjans said he was in favor of promoting electric drives. Nevertheless, the auto industry as well as automotive suppliers had to be supported.