Spain boosts sustainable mobility: Plan Auto+ doubles electric vehicle incentives
The push for sustainable mobility in Spain has taken an important step. The government has decided to double the budget for incentives to purchase electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, reaching a total of €800 million. This new funding injection responds both to the need to address the waiting list from the previous plan and to the desire to accelerate the transition toward more ecological and accessible transport.
Of the €800 million, €400 million will go to the new Auto+ incentive plan, which will be implemented from 2026. The remaining €400 million will cover pending applications under the Plan MOVES III, which ends on December 31, 2025. This ensures that applicants who had already purchased electric vehicles or hybrids but had not received subsidies are compensated.
This measure is a relief for thousands awaiting aid and also provides a symbolic and practical boost to sustainable mobility in Spain, reinforcing the country’s commitment to decarbonization and emission reduction.
What is Plan Auto+ and why now?
Plan Auto+ is part of the broader Spain Auto 2030 strategy, presented by the government to transform Spain’s automotive industry, aligning it with environmental requirements and promoting affordable electric mobility.
The plan is designed to be more agile and effective than its predecessor, Plan MOVES III. Aid management will be centralized by the government rather than delegated to regional authorities —a change aimed at preventing territorial inequalities and speeding up fund disbursement.
Plan Auto+ also aims to make electric vehicles affordable for middle-class and working households, ensuring electrification of the car fleet is not limited to those who can afford it without support. The government expects a surge of electric cars under €25,000 in 2026.
Additionally, Spain Auto 2030 promotes both demand and production competitiveness: investments include development of electric vehicles, batteries, components, and new factories, consolidating Spain as a European hub for sustainable automotive production.
Benefits and differences compared to Plan MOVES III
Under Plan MOVES III, incentives covered the purchase of electric and plug-in hybrid cars (and other vehicles such as motorcycles and vans), with up to €7,000 per car, depending on criteria such as scrapping an old vehicle.
Although MOVES III successfully promoted EV adoption and emission reduction, its decentralized management caused inequalities: many regions exhausted funds quickly, leaving buyers without support until the plan was renewed. In Madrid or Catalonia, funds ran out within months.
Plan Auto+ aims to solve this through centralized management and sufficient reserved funds, ensuring no pending applications remain.
The strategy also includes expanding charging infrastructure, fostering innovation in the supply chain, and encouraging national production of electric vehicles and components —a comprehensive approach beyond individual purchases.
What does this mean for sustainability and the environment?
For a website focused on sustainability, eco-living, and responsible consumption, this is a strong signal that Spain is committed to a real transition toward cleaner, greener transport.
- Emission reduction: Incentivizing EV adoption helps lower greenhouse gas and pollutant emissions, especially with renewable electricity.
- Access to green mobility: Consolidated, efficiently managed incentives, along with lower prices thanks to subsidies, make EVs accessible to more households, not just high-income ones.
- Local and circular economy: Spain Auto 2030 also promotes industrial production and internal competitiveness, potentially reducing environmental footprint from imports and vehicle transport.
- Sustainable infrastructure boost: Installing charging points and promoting industrial transformation accelerates structural change for decarbonizing private transport.
This initiative is more than financial support: it is part of a broader ecological transition strategy, with positive impacts on the planet and urban quality of life.
Challenges and points to watch
Despite the positive news, some factors are important for a sustainability-focused audience:
- Charging infrastructure: EV success depends on sufficient, accessible charging points. While the plan addresses this, implementation and rural coverage remain key.
- Funding guarantee and compliance: The plan must ensure the €400 million for incentives and €300 million for infrastructure are properly managed and reach those in need. Past issues included uneven territorial distribution.
- Real energy transition: EVs are beneficial, but sustainability is maximized if electricity comes from renewable sources. Otherwise, emission reduction may be limited.
- Responsible consumption awareness: Buying an EV is a sustainable step, but it remains important to evaluate the real need for the vehicle, its use, maintenance, and greener alternatives like public transport, biking, or shared mobility.
Conclusion
The announcement to double EV incentives in Spain —€800 million in total— is one of the most significant sustainable mobility decisions in recent years. The combination of the new Plan Auto+ and Spain Auto 2030’s industrial strategy suggests Spain is not only reducing emissions but also transforming its automotive sector toward a more ecological, competitive, and accessible model.
For sustainability advocates, these measures are fundamental and show that change is possible with political will. They also encourage a critical, conscious perspective: the transition depends not only on vehicles but on the entire system —energy, transport, consumption habits, and urban planning.
