After months of uncertainty, Spain’s Auto+ program is finally poised to open for applications. The €400 million scheme promises up to €4,500 for buyers of electric and European-made cars, with retroactive eligibility and new incentives.
Jordi Hereu, Spain’s Minister of Industry and Tourism, has announced that the long-delayed Auto+ grant program for electric and electrified vehicles is expected to be published within days. The confirmation, delivered at an event in Barcelona, comes after months of silence and growing frustration among drivers and carmakers awaiting the rollout of the €400 million initiative.
Originally unveiled at the end of last year, Auto+ was billed as the government’s next major push to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, following the earlier MOVES program. Yet, despite promises that applications would open in early July, the official launch has been repeatedly postponed, leaving both consumers and manufacturers in limbo. During this period, car brands have been advancing discounts to buyers, with estimates suggesting that over €200 million in claims are pending once the national scheme goes live.
How Auto+ Works
The Auto+ program is designed to support the purchase of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles that are affordable and produced in Europe. Grants can reach up to €4,500 per vehicle, provided all criteria are met. The aid is structured around three main factors: vehicle type, price, and manufacturing origin.
Fully electric cars are eligible for the largest base grant of €2,250, while plug-in hybrids can receive €1,125. Additional bonuses are tied to the vehicle’s price: cars costing under €35,000 qualify for a 25% boost (€1,125), while those priced between €35,000 and €45,000 receive a 15% supplement (€675). The most significant innovation is the extra incentive for European manufacturing. Vehicles assembled and finished within the EU gain another 15% (€675), and if part of the battery production also occurs in Europe, buyers can claim an extra 10% (€450).
Retroactive Eligibility
One of the most anticipated features of Auto+ is its retroactive coverage. According to government officials, the grants will apply to purchases made from January 1, 2026, onwards, provided the vehicles meet the program’s requirements. This ensures that early adopters who bought eligible cars before the official launch will not miss out on the financial support.
The government has positioned Auto+ as a strategic move to boost both demand for clean vehicles and the competitiveness of European—and especially Spanish—manufacturing. The program’s structure is intended to reward buyers who choose models with a higher proportion of European content, aligning with broader EU industrial and environmental goals.
Industry and Consumer Impact
The delayed rollout has created uncertainty for both buyers and dealers, with many holding off on purchases in anticipation of the new grants. As the market awaits the official publication, the Auto+ program is expected to inject momentum into Spain’s electric vehicle sector, which has lagged behind some European peers in recent years.
For those considering a new electric car, it’s worth noting that Spain offers additional incentives that can be combined with Auto+. For example, the Certificado de Ahorro Energético (CAE) can provide up to €1,000 in extra savings, as detailed in this overview of how energy savings certificates stack with government grants.
What Comes Next
With the minister’s latest statement, the Auto+ program appears finally ready to move from promise to reality. The coming days will be crucial for thousands of Spanish drivers and the automotive industry, as the long-awaited aid is set to reshape the market for electric and European-made vehicles.
Spain’s push for cleaner mobility comes as the EU tightens emissions targets and global competition in electric vehicle manufacturing intensifies. The Auto+ program’s focus on European production could help strengthen local industry, while the retroactive grants offer reassurance to early buyers who have already made the switch to electric.
