German chancellor Angela Merkel's cabinet has agreed a plan to get a million electric cars on Germany's roads by 2020 - something it says will turn it into the world's top market for zero-emissions vehicles.
The plan includes 500 million euros (£432 million) of funding for the construction of electric charging stations and programs to boost battery technology in Europe's biggest auto market.
"Our goal is to make Germany the leading market for electro-mobility," Economy Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg said.
BMW welcomed the move, but Audi boss Rupert Stadler was more cautious.
"In 20 years there will be mass-produced electric cars, but they should only make up around five to 10 per cent of all overall automobiles," he said.
Merkel's announcement that Germany intends to become a world leader in electric cars echoes similar comments from the UK's prime minister, Gordon Brown.
Add your comment