Spain accelerates electric car push with €400 million aid and call for affordable manufacturing
New Auto Plus programme offers direct subsidies as government targets greener, accessible mobility
Spain is stepping up efforts to make electric cars more affordable and accessible, unveiling a €400 million aid package to boost their purchase under the new Auto Plus programme. Announced by President Pedro Sánchez, this scheme will be directly managed by the central government rather than regional authorities, aiming for quicker and more consistent delivery Plan España Auto 2030.“We need to manufacture competitive electric cars that citizens can afford,” Sánchez emphasised during the plan’s launch. “Electrification is here to stay, and we all need to have access to it.”
Acknowledging the challenges families face, he added that “buying an electric car is a very significant investment.” The government is determined to accelerate the electric car race by reducing prices, improving charging infrastructure, and combating misinformation. “The climate emergency is progressing faster than predicted,” Sánchez insisted, underscoring Spain’s goal that “by 2050, virtually all cars on the road will be electric.”
Next year will see the arrival of electric models priced below €25,000, aligned with the launch of the €400 million Auto Plus aid for direct purchase. Sánchez explained the decision to manage funds centrally was based on lessons from the Reinicia plan, which saw high application approval rates for disaster recovery aid in Valencia.
Beyond car purchases, the government expects to invest nearly €1.3 billion, including €600 million for expanding public charging points by 50% to 40,000 locations and an extra €300 million for underserved “shadow areas.” The plan also dedicates €580 million in 2026 to the Electric and Connected Vehicle Programme, backing innovation in manufacturing, battery recycling, and components.
Josep Maria Recasens, president of the manufacturers’ association Anfac (Spanish Association of Automobile and Truck Manufacturers, who are a non-profit organisation representing car and truck makers), echoed the need for bold competition and investment. “We want to be a market where vehicles are manufactured and sold, not just sold,” he said, stressing Spain’s €85 billion value-added automotive sector faces a revolution towards electric vehicles. This vision includes attracting new manufacturers, boosting sales and infrastructure, and improving productivity and labour flexibility.
Sánchez’s plan aims to make electric vehicles accessible for all by creating “an electric car that is Spanish and affordable,” while catalysing green tech jobs and greener transport across the country.
For residents looking to the future, Spain’s bold push makes electric vehicles a growing part of everyday life.
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Image: Precious Madubuike/Unsplash
