SPD on transport

The SPD wants to speed up the rollout of EV charging and require gas stations to offer fast charging. Public charging is to become as easy as refueling and cheaper than it.

Electric cars need charging points. The SPD wants to build more of them fast. Gas stations must then offer fast charging too. Charging should be easy and cost less than gas.

New charging points are to be built along roads and highways and in depots and company yards. For vacation and business trips abroad, the SPD calls for a Europe-wide fast-charger rollout. The planned cap on transmission grid fees is also meant to make charging power cheaper.

The SPD wants to support purchases of German-built electric cars for a limited time through a tax deduction. Nearly new used cars, leasing and commercially used vehicles are also to benefit.

The SPD wants to support buying electric cars. People who buy one made in Germany get money back through their taxes. This is only for a limited time. Nearly new used cars and leasing count too. Electric cars stay free of the vehicle tax until 2035.

Buyers would declare the purchase on their tax return and receive the subsidy in their bank account. The platform says the support is aimed mainly at low- and middle-income households before the rising CO2 price makes combustion cars more expensive. The SPD expects the EU Commission to launch an EU-wide initiative or approve the German scheme. For commercial vehicles, better depreciation rules and changes to company car taxation are planned. The vehicle tax exemption is to run until 2035.

The SPD wants to continue high investment in rail so that trains run on time again. Deutsche Bahn is to remain an integrated, state-owned company; the platform rules out privatization.

Trains are often late. The SPD wants to put a lot of money into the tracks. Important routes should be fully renewed. The railway should belong to the state and not be sold.

The most important routes would be completely overhauled, and the network digitalized, electrified and fitted with noise protection. New and upgraded lines would follow a coordinated national and European timetable. The federal government would exert more control over the infrastructure unit DB InfraGO and the group as a whole. For freight, a reform of track access charges and the digital automatic coupling are planned. All large cities would be connected to long-distance service, with more sprinter trains, night trains and European high-speed links, and refunds paid out automatically where possible.

The SPD wants to offer the Deutschlandticket (nationwide transit pass) permanently at its current price and fund it together with the states. A cheaper version is planned nationwide for certain groups, and local public transit is to receive more money overall.

The SPD wants to keep the Deutschlandticket. The price should not go up. It should be cheaper for some people, such as families and seniors. Buses and trains should get more money.

The discounted ticket would be for groups such as seniors, families, trainees, students, schoolchildren and people with disabilities. Funding for local transit is to be strengthened permanently together with states and municipalities, with federal regionalization funds playing an important role. When an operator changes, taking over the staff would be required by law, and contracts would be awarded only to firms that pay collectively agreed wages. In metropolitan areas, public transit is to get priority wherever possible.

The SPD wants to reform driver training so that it becomes safer, more efficient and noticeably cheaper. Young people would also receive a 500-euro mobility credit. The program points to rising prices, which it says cause problems especially in rural areas.

A driver's license costs too much for many young people. The SPD wants to change driver training and make it cheaper. Young people should get 500 euros for getting around. They can use it for a license, train tickets or a bike.

The reform would also cover theory lessons and, according to the program, responds to more failed tests and higher prices. Everyone in their 17th year of life would receive the MobilitätsPass (mobility pass) worth 500 euros. Employers would also be allowed to pay apprentices and young employees up to 2,000 euros toward a license, free of taxes and social contributions.

The SPD wants to keep reforming road traffic law so that all road users are treated equally, and to expand cycling and walking. At the same time, highways and especially bridges are to be repaired and a new federal mobility plan drawn up.

The SPD wants to do more for bikes and for people on foot. There should be fast bike routes across the country. Highways and bridges should be repaired. A new plan should look at all transport routes together.

Traffic law would enshrine Vision Zero, the goal of zero road deaths. Plans include connected bike highways, bicycle parking garages and an updated federal walking strategy. Fair access to data is meant to strengthen rural services, unify tickets and link mobility services. The program treats taxis as part of basic public services, and ride-hailing providers would have to meet social standards. Road bottlenecks would still be removed, but rail and waterways should take over traffic where possible.

The SPD wants to set a general speed limit of 130 km/h on federal highways. In its view, this protects lives, reduces traffic jams and accidents, and benefits the climate, nature and nearby residents.

The SPD wants a speed limit on highways. Cars could then go no faster than 130 km/h. The SPD says this saves lives. There would be fewer traffic jams and accidents. It is also good for the climate.

The limit would apply to federal highways (Autobahnen). The program argues that Germany lags behind other countries in Europe and worldwide on this issue. It lists less stress, fewer traffic jams and accidents, and relief for nature, the climate and neighboring residential areas as benefits.

The SPD wants to subsidize climate-friendly trucks and local buses and make aviation climate-neutral under uniform EU-wide rules. Germany's air travel tax would be replaced by a European climate levy paid by all airlines. Waterways, ports and ship fleets are also to be modernized.

The SPD wants to support cleaner trucks and buses. Flights should carry a climate fee across all of Europe. All airlines should pay it. Truck drivers should get better working conditions. Ports and ships should also become more modern.

The program sees especially quick CO2 savings in trucks and buses. Better working conditions are meant to counter the driver shortage, for example by covering the truck cab under workplace regulations. In aviation, German airports and airlines should compete on equal terms, and emissions should not be shifted abroad. The National Port Strategy is to be implemented quickly. Research and market launch of sustainable fuels such as e-fuels are seen as central mainly for planes and ships.