Munich Faces Shortage of License Plates Due to Electric Vehicle Popularity
In connection with the growing popularity of electric vehicles in Munich and the Bavarian region of Munich, a new series of license plates is set to be introduced. According to a report by Münchner Abendzeitung, citing local authorities, the surge in electric cars, as well as electric motorcycles and scooters, has led to a shortage of available license plate combinations featuring the letter "E," denoting electric vehicles.
In the future, it is planned to issue license plates starting with "MUC" for electric motorcycles and scooters with square two-row plates, where the letter "E" will be placed in the second row. This will distinguish electric-powered vehicles from others on the roads.
Owners of electric cars and electric-powered commercial vehicles will have the option to choose between two types of license plates: "M" or "MUC." Specifically, electric passenger cars and utility vehicles will receive plates starting with "M."
A final decision on implementing these new license plates will be made after review and approval by the federal and state ministries of transport in Germany.
The decision to change the license plate issuance system is influenced not only by the popularity of electric vehicles but also by Germany's decision to abandon its goal of installing one million charging stations on the streets and in supermarkets by 2030. Many electric vehicle owners find it more convenient to charge their cars at home.
It's worth noting that the number of registered electric cars in Germany surpassed one million in December 2022, indicating a rising trend in the popularity and preference for electric vehicles among Germans.
Additionally, the German government plans to allocate 20 billion euros to stimulate semiconductor production in the country. This step aims to strengthen the technological sector and ensure a stable supply of key components amid geopolitical instability.
Approximately 75% of this funding will go to transnational corporations, including Intel and TSMC, although there has been no official confirmation of this information yet. Intel is expected to receive 10 billion euros to build a plant near Magdeburg, representing one-third of the total investment in the project. Furthermore, negotiations with TSMC are underway regarding potential investments in a plant in Dresden, where microcontrollers for German automakers are produced. The German government intends to invest around 5 billion euros in this plant, constituting half of the total investment amount.