This Tuesday the Royal Decree was approved in the Council of Ministers with which the Government of Spain will grant aid of up to 4,500 euros to be allocated to the purchase of a new electric and electrified vehicle. The so-called Auto+ Plan is aimed at both families, self-employed workers and SMEsas they have announced.
The Government will allocate 400 million euros to offer aid that can discounted from the total price of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Likewise, the Auto+ Plan is retroactive, so it can be applied in those car purchases made since January 1, 2026. A measure that has been well received by the automotive industry since car purchase spending fell 11% in the last year.
How to apply for Plan Auto+ aid?
As explained by Jordi Hereu, Minister of Industry and Tourism, this aid can be requested by both families as self-employed, SMEs and micro-SMEs, although only one aid can be received per vehicle. To submit the application, the process will depend on if the purchase has already occurred of the vehicle or, on the contrary, you have not yet visited the dealer.
In case there is purchased the vehicle on or after January 1, 2026 and want to enjoy the Auto+ Plan discount for electric and hybrid vehicles, it is necessary submit the application through the telematics platform from the Tax Agency or the Ministry of Industry. Once done, the owner of the vehicle will receive the aid payment within a guaranteed period of 60 days maximum. Although you can also choose your full deduction in the next personal income tax or corporate tax return.
On the contrary, if you are going to go to a concessionaire to buy the vehicle, This will be the one who must carry out the procedureon the same platform. Subsequently, the funds will be blocked, the customer will receive a certificate validating the operation and the aid will be deducted directly from the total price of the vehicle.
In both cases, the following must be provided: information about the previous vehicle: the certificate of ownership of the old vehicle that is going to be scrapped, the last MOT of said vehicle, the receipt of the last circulation tax that has been paid and the declaration of responsibility for aid.
Amounts that can be received with the Auto+ Plan
The amount of aid from the Auto+ Plan will depend on different factors. First of all, it will depend on whether the buyer is an individual or, on the contrary, a self-employed person or a small business. The Individuals may receive a maximum of 4,500 euros for passenger cars with a 0-emission label and whose cost does not exceed 35,000 euros (on invoice, without taxes or commercial discounts). This aid amounts to 6,000 euros for self-employed workers and SMEs.
Likewise, the vans or light truckswhich do not exceed 3.5 tons, will have a maximum aid of 5,000 euroswhich will increase to 7,500 for the self-employed. In both modalities, the point of sale must offer “a discount of at least 1,000 euros on the sale price”, as explained by the Ministry of Industry. While the electric motorcycles They can only receive between 1,100 and 1,500 euros.
How Auto+ aid is calculated: EEE criteria
In order to enjoy 100% of these aids, the vehicle must have certain characteristics. As explained, it will be used the EEA criterionwhich refers to the acronym for Electric, Economic and European. First of all, the vehicle must be 100% electric to ensure 50% of the aid. For this reason, plug-in hybrid or extended range models, with a 0 emissions label, will receive 25% less aid.
Regarding the economic factor, the vehicle must have a cost of less than 35,000 euros and maximum of 45,000 euros. If the price is less than 35,000 euros, will secure another 25% of the aid, while if it exceeds it, 15% of the total discount will be reduced. If it exceeds 45,000 euros, the car will be discarded and will not be able to receive any subsidy.
Finally, in the criterion on its European originif the vehicle has been manufactured entirely in Europe, it will receive another 25% of the aid. While those that have been assembled and completed in the European Union will only receive 15% of the maximum aid. Although you can opt for a Additional 10% if the battery was made in the EU. A measure with which they intend to encourage the purchase of vehicles produced and manufactured within the framework of the union.
Can Chinese cars benefit from the Auto+ Plan?
Given this attempt to promote the purchase of cars and motorcycles of “Made in Europe” origin, the question arises as to whether Chinese brand cars will be able to benefit from this aid. The answer can be found in the EEE formula itself, because while meet the criteria of an electric (or plug-in hybrid) and economical carthey will be able to benefit from a maximum of 75% of aidleaving out the 25% destined for vehicles of European origin.
This measure seeks slow down the growth that Asian brands are having within the member countries of the European Union, which are affecting the sales levels of Spanish manufacturers. For this reason, they have received the announcement of this aid with approval, hoping that the aid and the commercial discounts, which are compatible with the Auto+ Plansupport the growth and operation of this sector.