Spain’s €400 million Plan Auto+ subsidy fund has run out, while political deadlock in Madrid has blocked a quick fix. Industry leaders warn that unless the government steps in, support for electric vehicles could disappear for the rest of 2026.
The crisis began when Pedro Sánchez’s government failed to pass two housing decrees in Congress, and the deadlock spilled into the car sector. Industry sources say they are holding talks with the Ministry of Industry and Anfac almost every day to secure more funding. Without it, many buyers may have to wait until January 2027, when the next round of subsidies is due.
20minutos reported that a separate €50 million support line under Plan Auto+ launched on October 1, 2026, for companies and self-employed workers. Of that, €42 million was reserved for businesses and €8 million for autónomos.
Plan Auto+ was announced in December with a €400 million budget to push Spain toward electric cars, but its rollout dragged on and incentives did not begin until summer. The money ran out quickly. The programme covered fully electric cars and plug-in hybrids, and demand soon outpaced the budget. The sector had already warned the Ministry of Industry this would happen.
For buyers, the rules are confusing: aid varies with a car’s powertrain and price, while its place of manufacture can also affect the amount. Fully electric cars can receive €2,250, while plug-in hybrids get €1,125. Additional discounts apply to cars costing less than €35,000, with further bonuses for vehicles and batteries made in Europe. But with the budget gone, most buyers are out of luck.
Official sources quoted by leading Spanish automotive outlets say the maximum subsidy for electrified vehicles can reach €5,500 to €7,500, depending on the applicant and vehicle type. For vans, the top amount can reach €12,000 in special cases. These figures suggest some support remains on paper, even as available funding runs short.
Capital.es reported that applications for electric vehicle subsidies are processed exclusively through the Ministry of Industry and Tourism’s online system. Eligibility is tied to vehicle registration in Spain and the CERO environmental label.
Industry insiders estimate that with just €400 million available and 150,000 electric cars expected to sell in 2026, the average subsidy per car would fall to €2,600, far below the government’s promised maximum of €4,500. Even in the best case, 50,000 buyers could miss out; in the worst, up to 80,000 people could receive nothing.
This goes beyond paperwork. Spanish car sales data already show more people turning to used cars, while buyers hold back on new electric models because they do not trust the incentives to remain available. Red tape and shifting rules in the Plan Auto+ system are eroding confidence in Spain’s electric vehicle push.
The government once promised that Plan España 2030 would bring €2 billion over five years to the car industry. That promise now looks shaky. The crisis shows how vulnerable Spain’s green mobility plans are to political deadlock. Unless the Sánchez government finds new money soon, the electric car rollout could stall.
