Quo Vadis Electromobility in Luxembourg

The ACL participated in the SWIO Days, a conference on electromobility held at the Coque. The aim of the event was to highlight the challenges and future prospects of electromobility in Luxembourg, especially in the professional sphere.

The first conference of the day, “Quo Vadis l’électromobilité au Luxembourg” (Quo Vadis electromobility in Luxembourg) was led by four experts, including Frank Maas, head of mobility solutions promotion and historic vehicles at ACL. Joining him were Gerry Wagner, spokesperson for the House of Automobile, Frank Dillschneider, managing director of Volkswagen Losch Financial Services, and David Grandjean, sales director at KBC Autolease.

Opening the conference, Gerry Wagner emphasized the need to be realistic and to show the government the possibilities and limitations of electromobility. “Subsidies for electric vehicles, benefits in kind, VAT, … the automotive sector is in an exceptional transition period, and constructive solutions are vital to avoid a real crisis and ensure the progress of the energy transition,” he stressed.

Regretting the potential consequences of the new taxation on company vehicles, Gerry Wagner also called for new state aids or at least their extension. “When Germany withdrew its aids, the electric car market collapsed,” illustrated Gerry Wagner before stating: “It is crucial not to repeat this mistake in Luxembourg.” This wish was recently partly fulfilled by the government with the announcement of a 1,500-euro subsidy for the purchase of a used vehicle and an extension of purchase aids, despite a reduction, from October 1st.

Frank Dillschneider explained that his mission was “to dispel fears surrounding electromobility” to facilitate, especially for businesses, a smooth transition to these new technologies. “We can clearly see that in terms of TCO (Total Cost of Ownership), it makes sense for a company to have an electric car,” he insisted.

David Grandjean, in the same panel, mentioned that despite a significant market share in leasing in Luxembourg, “economic uncertainties and the competition from new brands create significant challenges for leasing companies.” During his interventions, he also highlighted the importance and complexity of assessing “the resale value of electric vehicles, a field where rapid technological changes complicate forecasts.”

Finally, Frank Maas highlighted the Club’s role in providing impartial information, particularly through the organization of public conferences in several municipalities across the country. While the challenges are numerous for the professional sphere, the public has just as many questions.

By Max jung