Germany pushes EV shift as study flags fleet tax lag and Mercedes drops EQ brand

A new analysis by the environmental group Transport & Environment finds that Germany provides the most generous tax subsidies for fossil‑fuel company cars in the EU, effectively discouraging the electrification of corporate fleets. The study notes an average net benefit of around €10,000 per vehicle, more than double that of any other EU member state, and urges the German government to reform company‑car taxation and support the EU’s forthcoming clean‑fleet regulation.

At the same time, Mercedes‑Benz announced it will retire the EQ badge that has identified its electric models. New electric versions will carry the traditional model names with an "Electric" suffix, such as an electric CLA, integrating electric and combustion variants under a single brand hierarchy. The change reflects the automaker’s strategy to simplify its lineup and promote broader consumer adoption of electric vehicles in Germany.