The aim is to transform the country into a global frontrunner in the technology. "Our goal is to make Germany the leading market for electro-mobility," Economy Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg told reporters in Berlin.
To support its good intentions, the government has earmarked some €500 million ($705 million) to improve the technology over the next three years. Roughly a quarter of the total, which was set aside under the country's second economic stimulus package, will be directed into eight new test areas to establish how the cars could be best moved into the mainstream.
Talk of electric cars has long been in the air in Germany, home to household names like Volkswagen, Porsche and BMW. Volkswagen said it will bring out its first electric car in 2013. This year, Daimler and the German utility RWE are set to stage electric car tests around Berlin. Meanwhile, a team is even working on a "New Trabbi," a rejuvenated electric version of East Germany's spluttering Trabant, which is scheduled to make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month.
