Spain opens Plan Auto+ subsidies for electric vehicle purchases

The Spanish Ministry of Industry and Tourism opened the application window on 4 August for the first line of the Plan Auto+ programme. The scheme allocates €350 million to subsidise the purchase of electric and electrified vehicles, with a retroactive eligibility period covering cars registered from 1 January 2026 (and certain used vehicles from 1 January 2025). Eligible applicants are private individuals residing in Spain who do not carry out economic activity.

Subsidy amounts vary by vehicle type: up to €4,500 for passenger cars (category M1), €5,000 for vans and light commercial vehicles (category N1), €1,100 for electric motorcycles (categories L3e‑L5e) and €1,500 for electric quadricycles (categories L6e‑L7e). Applications must be submitted online through the ministry’s portal and are processed in order of receipt until funds are exhausted. Technical problems on the launch day, including access errors and missing vehicle models such as the Tesla Model 3, were reported, prompting criticism from users.

A second line for self‑employed professionals and companies is planned for after the summer, with higher maximum grants (€6,000 for cars, €7,500 for vans). The total budget for Plan Auto+ is €400 million and it forms part of the broader Spain Auto 2030 strategy aimed at accelerating transport electrification and decarbonising the economy.