Spain has finally approved the regulatory framework for its new Auto+ incentive program, which we already commented on, to support electric vehicle purchases through 2030.
As mentioned, the scheme replaces MOVES III with centrally managed grants, while excluding vehicles without the country’s ZERO-emissions label.
Two pillars
The program is divided into two funding pillars. Pillar 1 targets private individuals who are not engaged in economic activity and covers the purchase of new vehicles or nearly-new models up to 12 months old that have already been registered in Spain.
Pillar 2 is aimed at companies, the self-employed, and other buyers engaged in economic activity. In addition to outright purchases, it also covers financial leasing and rental agreements with a minimum duration of three years.
Private buyers can receive up to €4,500 for an M1 passenger car, €5,000 for an N1 electric van, €1,100 for electric motorcycles in the L3e, L4e and L5e categories, and €1,500 for L6e and L7e quadricycles. There should also be an additional mandatory €1000 discount from the manufacturer or dealer, resulting in total savings of €5,500 for an M1 passenger car.
For self-employed buyers and micro-enterprises, the maximum subsidy rises to €6,000 for passenger cars and €7,500 for electric vans. Companies receive the same maximum support as private buyers, while businesses eligible under the Climate Social Fund can access up to €7,000 for passenger cars and €12,000 for electric vans.
Spanish media report that the final subsidy amount for passenger cars will depend on several criteria. Battery-electric vehicles receive a higher weighting than plug-in hybrids and range-extender models, while additional incentives favor vehicles priced below €35,000, models manufactured in the European Union and vehicles using batteries produced at least partly within the EU.
Unlike MOVES III, the Auto+ Program does not include support for charging infrastructure or additional scrappage bonuses for older vehicles. Approved by the Council of Ministers, it will apply nationwide until 31 December 2030 and is intended to accelerate the electrification of road transport.
The program also excludes all vehicles that do not qualify for the Spanish Directorate General of Traffic’s (DGT) ZERO emissions environmental label.
Centralized platform and administration
Applications will be submitted through a centralized online platform operated by the Ministry of Industry and Tourism, with grants awarded directly through ministerial calls funded from the national budget.
According to Spanish media reports, the program has a budget of €400 million and will apply retroactively to eligible vehicle purchases made from 1 January 2026.
Industry Minister Jordi Hereu said there are currently no plans to increase the funding envelope. “We do not believe the funds will be exhausted,” he said. “With the €400 million, we can comfortably cover the year.” Earlier on, the magazine La Tribuna de Automocion warned that the funds could already be exhausted as early as September or October because of the retroactivity of the scheme.
The new scheme also introduces a centralized administration intended to speed up grant processing compared with the previous MOVES III program, under which buyers often waited several months to receive subsidies. The Auto+ system is expected to reduce processing times to a matter of weeks.
Essential tool
“The Auto+ Program, which forms part of the Spain Auto 2030 Plan, is the main tool to promote the electrification of transport and is an essential measure for achieving the climate and energy transition objectives of national scope committed to in state and European planning,” the Spanish government declared.
