The acquisition of a new car represents a considerable financial effort for millions of Spaniards. The average price of a vehicle in our country is 23,666 euros, according to data from the Tax Agency for 2023, which represents a significant expense for most households. However, there is state and regional aid to lighten the burden of not only purchasing the car itself, but also the expenses associated with the vehicle, such as insurance, consumption and maintenance.

The Royal Automobile Club of Spain (RACE) details on its website the financial aid available for those who choose to purchase a new vehicle. These initiatives respond to the dual objective of the administrations of promoting sustainable mobility and addressing the high average age of the vehicle fleet. According to data shared by the manufacturers’ association (Anfac), the average age of passenger cars in Spain in 2023 was 14.2 years, one of the highest in Europe.

Although government policies prioritize the acquisition of zero-emission vehicles, in some cases aid is also applicable to cars with combustion engines. We are going to see it below by reviewing the programs that the Government and the autonomous communities currently have in force.

The Moves III Plan, the third edition of the Government program to promote sustainable mobility with aid of up to 1.2 billion euros, will be valid until July 31, 2024. This plan was launched for the first time in 2019 and is designed to encourage drivers to purchase alternative energy vehicles, whether new or used up to 12 months old.

This plan, with a contribution of 1.2 billion euros, is not limited only to the purchase of electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and hydrogen cells, but also includes charging infrastructure. Specifically, the Moves III Plan subsidizes 70% of the total cost of installing charging points.

You can consult the conditions to qualify for the aid of the Moves III plan by clicking on this link.

This plan was presented by the Government of Pedro Sánchez in the second half of 2020 to reactivate the sector, affected by the consequences of the pandemic. It is still in force today until the budgets are exhausted, which for the acquisition of vehicles is 250 million euros.

The aid includes the purchase of gasoline vehicles – whose emissions are less than 120 g CO2/km -, in addition to electric and hybrid vehicles that do not exceed 35,000 euros, as long as you scrap a car that is more than 10 years old with the ITV in force. . The amount of aid varies depending on the DGT environmental label and its energy rating. In the case of combustion cars, the aid ranges between 400 and 800 euros.

When you resort to this aid, remember the RACE, the dealers will also have to deduct the same amount as the State, except when it is a zero vehicle; In this case, the contribution will be 1,000 euros.

The Cambia 360 Plan that the Community of Madrid has activated dedicates close to 5.5 million euros to subsidize the purchase of electric, hybrid and combustion vehicles. The aid, which is significantly greater for zero-emission cars, is as follows:

In Euskadi, the Pavea plan (Aid Program for Efficient and Alternative Vehicles) is in force, which provides aid of between 2,000 and 3,000 euros when changing an old vehicle for a new one, even if the latter is a combustion vehicle. The grant is not compatible with the Moves III plan.

The Xunta has launched the Renove Plan in 2024, which offers up to 4,600 euros of discount when replacing an old vehicle with a more efficient and safe one, including diesel and gasoline technologies. The aid will be active until September 30, or sooner if the funds run out, and to access it it is essential to permanently deregister a vehicle for scrapping.

The program covers vehicles of any technology, as long as they do not exceed the barrier of 125 g CO2/km. The aid ranges from 2,000 to 3,000 euros, depending on the technology of the vehicle, to which a 1,000-euro discount from dealers must be added. Large families also benefit from an additional discount of 600 euros (vehicles with emissions up to 110 g CO2/km) or 400 euros (vehicles with emissions up to 125 g CO2/km).

In the rest of the autonomous communities there are no specific programs that subsidize the purchase of new cars, so citizens of those regions can only access the Moves III plan, which is limited to alternative technology vehicles. In addition, drivers who opt for cars with a zero or eco environmental label can benefit from the following measures.