After the End of the "Fuel Discount": Bilger Considers Further Relief Possible

The "Tankrabatt" still applies until the end of the year - and then? Transport Minister Bilger considers further targeted relief possible – for example for bus companies or taxi drivers. In addition, the government is working on a mechanism for direct payments. The "Tankrabatt" runs since October until December and is intended to relieve motorists. But what happens next? Federal Transport Minister Steffen Bilger considers further targeted relief possible after the expiry of the "Tankrabatt" at the end of the year. The Augsburger Allgemeine said the CDU politician, he pleads to examine "how we can specifically relieve particularly affected industries such as bus companies, taxi drivers or hauliers, if the prices remain so high". And he added: "It was right, in view of the continuing burden of high fuel prices, to decide again a discharge." The Federal Government is continuing to work on a mechanism for direct payments to citizens in order to facilitate targeted relief for those particularly affected. Rich for direct payments to "Tankrabatt" Federal Minister of Economic Affairs Katherina Reiche also spoke out on Friday for the time after the "Tankrabatt" in the ARD interview of the week for a more targeted approach: "Here is the direct payment mechanism, which can be spent via the Federal office for taxes, the right lever," said the CDU politician. At the same time, Reiche introduced a change in EU law to enable a reduction in VAT on petrol and diesel. She remains sceptical about a fuel price cap even after the coalition’s decision to introduce one. At the end of October, she wants to consult with the mineral oil industry, trade unions and the federal states. Bilger for E20 petrol Transport Minister Bilger also commented on the Franco-German agreement on the softening of the combustion engine. Bilger called for the introduction of E20 gasoline to be promoted: At the moment, I am working with my French counterpart to increase the admixture of biofuels. There are, for example, E20 at the pumps, he also said in the Augsburger Allgemeine. With a higher proportion of bioethanol at the pumps, the dependence on oil imports can also be reduced. Bilger defended the joint initiative of Berlin and Paris to mitigate the EU ban on new combustion engines planned for 2035. While Germany has come a long way in establishing a charging network for electric cars, other European countries still have considerable catching up to do. A complete combustion ban would also harm the German automotive industry, as the switch to electromobility would take longer in many export countries. Germany and France announced on Friday an agreement according to which the CO2 reduction target for new cars from 100 to 90 percent from 2035. A compensation for the remaining ten percent should no longer be necessary. Germany and France must now enforce the plans at EU level.