Barcelona authorities have launched a major support program for those who choose to swap their gasoline-powered scooter for an electric one. Starting in 2026, city residents and businesses will be eligible for a €600 grant if they scrap their old internal combustion mopeds and purchase a new electric scooter.
This move is part of the city’s strategy to reduce emissions and noise pollution. Barcelona currently has around 32,000 registered scooters, with only a quarter of them being electric. The rest release thousands of tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere each year. City officials hope the new initiative will help renew the fleet of small motorcycles and make the city cleaner.
The program is designed for four years and allocates a total of €15 million. During this period, at least 20,000 old vehicles are expected to be replaced. The €600 subsidy covers between 16% and 40% of a new electric scooter’s cost, making eco-friendly transportation more accessible for residents and local businesses.
Battery swapping stations and business support
In addition to direct payments, the city is investing another 3 million euros in infrastructure for electric scooters. Over the coming years, Barcelona will see 64 new stations for rapid battery swapping. This will allow electric vehicle owners to avoid long charging times and simply exchange a depleted battery for a fully charged one. Subsidies for setting up these stations will be available to gas stations, parking lots, and other organizations willing to offer battery swapping services.
To receive the payment, you will need to provide documents confirming the purchase of a new electric scooter and the disposal of your old gasoline-powered one. Dismantling services are offered free of charge at municipal sites. The program is open both to private individuals and to companies registered in Barcelona.
Barcelona — the city of motorcycles
Barcelona has long been considered one of Europe’s leaders in two-wheeled transport per capita. Motorcycles and scooters make up a third of all vehicles in the city, with small-displacement models especially popular among young people and couriers. The new program aims to make the switch to eco-friendly transportation as easy and accessible as possible for all types of users.
City authorities emphasize that the support specifically targets small-displacement scooters, which previously were not eligible for state subsidies. More powerful electric motorcycles are already covered by national programs, and now owners of smaller mopeds will also be able to receive financial assistance when switching to electric vehicles.
Overall, Barcelona remains committed to reducing emissions and improving the urban environment. As part of its general climate plan up to 2023, the city invested more than 1.8 billion euros in environmental projects, and the new scooter renewal program marks yet another step towards a cleaner, more modern metropolis.
