Austria is known both in Europe and around the world not only for its ski resorts, famous artists, musicians, and composers. Significant fame and popularity Austria got from the constant presence of country and Vienna in a variety of world’s ratings for quality of life. Important country characteristics in such ratings include evaluation of many environmental factors: air pollution, water purity, and so on. Austria is actively working on the improvement of the quality of life in all areas, including the environment. In this article, we will briefly discuss the development of the electromotor cars market and services for them.
One of the most important areas of environmental protection is the reduction of negative emissions. Exhaust gases from petrol burning and their components seriously harm our atmosphere and have a negative influence on human health. In order to increase the lifespan and quality of living, many countries around the world collaborate to enforce the development of electric transport and alternative power sources.
Austria, and specifically Vienna, is among leaders in this direction. One of the aspects of the promotion of electric cars to consumers is the development of infrastructure. Der Bundesverband Elektromobilität Österreich (BEÖ) announced that at the moment Vienna stands among the top ten European cities for the number of car charging stations and not going to stop there. Today, there are almost 800 charging stations in Vienna, the city’s plan of development includes nearly 1,800 stations working by 2020, with a total investment of more than 15 million Euros. In addition, in 2019 and 2020 it is planned to open many fast charging stations for up to 20,000 euros.
Electric transport in Austria – regional differences
The situation in other parts of Austria is also very optimistic and favorable. There are about 5000 charging stations installed, which is 30% more than in 2017. By region, the situation is the following: Lower Austria has the largest number of public charging points – more than 1,200. Upper Austria is on the second place with more than 650, followed by Styria (> 600). In Carinthia, there are almost 500 of them, with Tirol and Vorarlberg each having about 400 each, Salzburg has around 300 units. Burgenland is on the last place with a little more than 120 points of electric transport charging.
It should be noted that the reason for the growth in the number of such charging stations is not only the desire to improve the ecology but also the banal law of demand and supply. I think you could have noticed the growing number of vehicles on the streets and roads of Austria, which use electric motors. And this is not only cars but also bicycles, scooters and much more. Another favorable developmental aspect is a bonus program for electric cars owners. Similar programs also successfully work in many countries around the world and just recently began in Austria.
Financial support for electrocars in Austria
Electric transport in Austria is getting more and more attention. According to the Bundesministerium für Verkehr, Innovation und Technologie (BMVIT), in 2019 and 2020, the market of electric cars and motorcycles will be supported by the government. Each purchase of an electric vehicle will get 3,000 euros government donation, for hybrids with over than 50 kilometers electric driving, a customer will receive 1,500 euros. Models with a gross price (basic model without additional equipment) of more than 50,000 euros, as well as hybrids and range extenders with a diesel engine are not included in this program. Companies, local authorities, and associations will also receive similar financial support for the purchase of all categories of electric vehicles, development and expansion of the public infrastructure of charging stations.
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