Lower Saxony's head of government calls for more speed in the promotion of electric cars.

According to Lower Saxony's Minister-President Olaf Lies, purchasing an electric car should be financially worthwhile for everyone. "It is our responsibility to ensure that the electric car is the more economical solution for everyone," the SPD politician and Volkswagen supervisory board member told the German Press Agency.

With cheaper electricity prices, electric cars would already be more economical for many than combustion engines, Lies continued. "It's just that no one talks about it," he criticized. "People still think: electric cars are too expensive, the range is too short, and the battery doesn't last. That's already long outdated in many places."

Lies continued: "I'm not the one who says everyone has to drive electric. But I am saying: You have to be able to afford mobility tomorrow. And in an electrified world of tomorrow, the direct use of electricity is the only way to achieve this."

However, politicians must also make e-mobility more attractive beyond lower electricity prices: Lies described the federal government's plans for tax incentives for e-mobility as important. This requires "quick, detailed information and rapid implementation."

In addition to ensuring mobility is affordable, he also believes that cars should continue to be manufactured at German locations. "That won't work if we only serve the declining market for combustion engines," Lies said.

The Prime Minister personally owns three old Volkswagens—all combustion engines. However, he switched to purely electric cars for work years ago.

With regard to the VW crisis, Lies said the company's renewal process will continue intensively in the coming years: "The electric platform is in place. The electric cars that are coming will appeal very well to various customer groups, including those with low-cost vehicles."

Volkswagen, however, offers more than just electric cars, even if this is "sometimes a little neglected" in perception, Lies said. "I am convinced: Volkswagen is on the right track – unless the market doesn't pick up. We are experiencing extreme consumer restraint. People aren't buying because they can't be sure what tomorrow will bring. That's why we need economic stability." With an economic upturn, people would then buy more cars again.