Buying an electric car with the Plan Auto 2026: subsidies, requirements, and how much you can save

In this article, we will help you understand how the Plan Auto+ 2026 works for electric cars, which grants you can apply for, what the requirements are to obtain the subsidies, and, above all, how much you can save with electric mobility.

If you are in the early stages, figuring out whether now is the best time to buy an electric car, here is all the clear and updated information.

What the Plan Auto 2026 is and why it facilitates the purchase of electric cars

The so-called Plan Auto+ is a public initiative included in the Plan Auto 2030 and managed by the Ministry of Industry and Tourism. It has a budget of €400 million for 2026 and is coordinated with the autonomous regions.

Its goal is to boost the demand for electric or electrified vehicles, continuing the previous subsidy system, but with new criteria that favour European production and more economically accessible models.

The Government's goal: to accelerate electrification

The vehicle fleet in Spain is ageing. Almost 30% of vehicles are over 20 years old, and more than 60% are over a decade old. Despite this situation, electrification is increasingly growing, but its presence has not yet reached the desired percentage.

Given this scenario, the Government faces the challenge of electrifying the car fleet. The programme was created to accelerate this transition towards electric mobility in our country. To do so:

• Grants will be aimed exclusively at vehicles with a ZERO label, prioritising the most sustainable models of European origin.

• It reinforces support for affordable models, as the price must fall within an established threshold.

Replacement of polluting vehicles

Continuity of the MOVES and PERTE VEC systems

The Plan Auto+ replaces the MOVES system and continues the direct subsidies, but with major changes.

The most notable difference between the Plan Auto+ and MOVES is the standardisation of deadlines, requirements, and criteria across the entire territory. While previously the Autonomous Regions established these parameters, now everything will be defined by the Central Government, eliminating any potential inequality between different territories and streamlining procedures. In addition to this change, a new criterion called EEE has been incorporated:

• Electric

• Economic

• European

The better the vehicle meets these three factors, the higher the percentage of the grant based on the maximum amount assigned to each category.

On the other hand, the PERTE VEC (Strategic Project for the Recovery and Economic Transformation of the Electric and Connected Vehicle) is a key programme to transform the automotive industry in Spain towards electric and connected mobility, supporting the production of vehicles, batteries, and components, as well as innovation across the entire value chain.

Within this framework, the plan seeks to strengthen the innovation and competitiveness of the sector, ensuring Spain leads not only in car manufacturing but also in design, technological development, assembly, and battery recycling.

To drive this goal, an additional €580 million will be allocated to the PERTE VEC in 2026, adding to the more than €3 billion invested in recent years.

Which Plan Auto 2026 grants you can use to buy an electric car

If your goal is to buy an electric car in 2026, these are the main grants you can take advantage of under the Plan Auto+.

Direct purchase subsidies

Bearing in mind that for categories M1 and N1, dealerships will offer an additional mandatory discount of at least €1,000, the maximum grant amounts are:

• Cars (M1): up to €4,500 (€6,000 for self-employed workers or companies with up to 10 employees)

• Light vans (N1): up to €5,000 (€7,500 for self-employed workers or companies with up to 10 employees)

• Electric motorcycles (categories L3e, L4e, and L5e):  up to €1,100

• Quadricycles (L6e and L7e): up to €1,500

The final grant is not a fixed amount; rather, it is calculated as a percentage of the maximum based on the EEE criteria:

• Electric: 50% of the maximum grant amount for pure electric vehicles, and 25% of the maximum grant amount for extended-range electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids.

• Economic: 25% of the maximum grant amount for cars up to €35,000, and 15% of the maximum grant amount for cars between €35,000 and €45,000. Cars above this figure are excluded from the grant. However, this limitation does not apply to 8- or 9-seater pure electric vehicles if the beneficiary is a self-employed worker or a company. For all other vehicles, 25% of the maximum grant amount will be allocated. Electric motorcycles (categories L3e, L4e, and L5e) also have a limit of up to €10,000.

• European: Up to 25% for being manufactured in Europe, broken down as follows: 15% if final assembly and finishing took place in the European Union, plus an additional 10% if part of the battery was also made in the EU.

Grants for scrapping an old vehicle

In this case, the Plan Auto+ focuses on the purchase of electric vehicles and does not offer any advantage or enhancement for those wishing to get rid of their previous vehicle –  what we have always called a ‘scrappage scheme’. 

However, even though there is no scrappage scheme as such, replacing an old car with an electric one not only reduces emissions but also means significant savings on maintenance and fuel.

Incentives for electric car leasing and renting

To benefit from the Plan Auto+ grants, you are not required to buy a vehicle outright. These are the two scenarios:

• Leasing: a long-term rental contract (generally 2 to 5 years) that allows you to use a new vehicle by paying monthly instalments, including a final purchase option for its residual value.

• Renting (only for self-employed workers and companies): a long-term rental contract (generally 3 to 5 years) where a fixed monthly fee is paid for its use. With this arrangement, there is no option to buy the vehicle at the end.

These modalities expand the options for those seeking flexibility or wanting to access an electric car without facing a heavy upfront cost.

Grants for installing a domestic charging point

The Plan Auto+, unlike the old MOVES plan, does not include grants for installing a charger at home. It is strictly for purchasing the vehicle itself.

However, the electric transition makes no sense without the infrastructure to charge your car at home. Installing a home charger is key to maximising your savings. In this link, we explain what you need to charge an electric car at home. We also recommend the tariff that best suits you. 

Charging at home with a time-of-use tariff can make a notable difference in the cost per kilometre. Choosing the best electricity tariff for night-time charging multiplies the real savings compared to a combustion engine car.

Requirements to access the Plan Auto 2026 grants

Before applying for grants to purchase an electric car in 2026, it is essential to check that you meet the requirements. Remember:

1. The vehicle must have a ZERO label.

1. It must respect the pre-tax price limits:

1. Cars (M1): maximum €45,000 before tax.

1. Motorcycles: maximum €10,000.

1. The plan covers both new vehicles and those registered since 1 January 2025, purchased through a dealership.

1. Only one vehicle grant is awarded per beneficiary (up to 10 for companies).

Meeting these requirements is essential so you don't lose the subsidy due to an administrative detail. 

How to apply for the Plan Auto 2026 grants to buy an electric vehicle

Currently, the launch of the Plan Auto+ is scheduled for May or June of this year. However, citizens do not need to wait to purchase their vehicle, due to the retroactive nature of the grants from 1 January 2026, once the call for applications is published. 

In any case, it is important to be clear about the requirements of these measures to be eligible to receive the grants. To do this, we recommend:

• Keeping all purchase documentation.

• Verifying that the invoice price complies with the pre-tax limits.

• Confirming that the model meets the EEE criteria.

How much you can really save with the Plan Auto 2026

This is the most interesting question: How much do I save with an electric car in 2026? To calculate this, we will divide this saving into three main blocks:

1. Savings derived from the Plan Auto+:

• Up to €4,500 for cars (€6,000 for self-employed workers and companies) and €5,000 for vans (€7,500 for self-employed workers and companies).

• Both cars and vans also benefit from a mandatory minimum discount of €1,000 from the dealership.

• Electric motorcycles up to €1,100 and quadricycles up to €1,500.

  2. Savings on fuel: charging an electric car at home with the right tariff is considerably cheaper than filling up with petrol or diesel. Even more so in a context of uncertainty where the price of a barrel of crude oil continues to rise. If you choose a tariff with off-peak hours, the cost per kilometre can be significantly reduced.

  3. Savings on maintenance: an electric car does not require oil changes and involves less mechanical wear and lower overall maintenance.

Which electric cars will be most attractive with the Plan Auto 2026

With the new EEE system (Electric, Economic, and European), the following will be particularly attractive:

• Pure electric vehicles: (BEV and FCEV).

• Electrified vehicles: (EREV and PHEV).

• That do not exceed €45,000 for cars and €10,000 for motorcycles.

• Manufactured or assembled in the EU, especially those with part of the battery produced in Europe.

True savings are measured not only by the initial grant, but by the total cost over the years of use. That is where a good purchasing strategy and an appropriate electricity tariff turn electric mobility into an economically smart decision. The Plan Auto+ 2026 will provide a clear boost to electrification in Spain.  If you are considering making the leap to an electric car, 2026 could be your year.