Electric vehicles and charging infrastructure targets in Spain and Alicante
Electric vehicles play a growing role in the European Union’s climate strategy, with sales continuing to rise even as upfront costs remain a hurdle. A key challenge is the limited public charging network. In Alicante, authorities plan a substantial expansion to meet EU emissions targets, aiming to grow the public charging points from roughly 700 to several thousands by 2025 and beyond, with a long‑range objective that could reach tens of thousands by 2035.
Spain’s major automotive association, Anfac, represents nearly all brands in the sector and is actively updating public access mapping to support planning and monitoring of charging deployments. The goal is to align Spain with the European Fit for 55 program, ensuring charging infrastructure grows in step with stricter emissions rules.
The alliance notes that EU CO2 reduction requirements for different vehicle types intensify toward 2030 and 2035. For 2030, a 55% cut is expected for passenger cars and 50% for light commercial vehicles, rising to 100% for both categories by 2035. As a result, the national plan envisions growth to 4.3 million electric passenger cars by 2035, up from a 2030 target of 3.4 million, with the market share increasing accordingly. These projections set a framework for expanding charging networks in line with a rapid transition to electric mobility.
Anfac has updated its proposal to structure the required charging network in step with these ambitions. The study projects substantial increases in charging points: from the current national total of about 20,243 to 70,000 by the end of 2023, 120,000 by 2025, 300,000 by 2030, and 610,000 by 2035, the year gas-powered passenger cars are phased out. In the Valencian Community, the rollout would rise from 4,011 public points today to 8,274 in 2025, 28,177 by 2030, and 59,529 by 2035. In Alicante province, the starting point is smaller, and the path requires a clear acceleration, with projections showing a rise from 686 charging points today to about 2,893 by 2025 and up to 21,297 by 2035, if targets are met.
Caption: A charging point in Alicante.
Today most charging points are concentrated in larger cities. Alicante leads with 129 points, followed by Elche with 55, Benidorm with 36, Torrevieja 26, Ondara 25, and Dénia and Alcoy with 24 each. Industry stakeholders agree that the rate of installation must accelerate to meet EU expectations, and many warn that current progress is too slow to sustain momentum in the market. They emphasize that adequate charging infrastructure is essential for electric vehicles to become a practical everyday choice.
All-electric vehicles in a growing market
José López-Tafall, managing director of Anfac, argues for a rapid expansion of high‑power charging capacity to support long‑distance travel, suggesting charging times between 15 and 27 minutes. He notes that government and regional authorities play a crucial role in delivering the needed infrastructure. The automotive sector is already introducing a wide array of electric models, but public charging remains a critical enabler for broad adoption.
All-electric cars account for a small share of the Alicante charging landscape, with a larger figure including hybrids and plug-in hybrids that offer electric driving for daily commutes while preserving a gasoline option for longer trips. Dealers indicate that the market still reflects affordability hurdles and infrastructure gaps, which dampen demand for full electric vehicles. This sentiment mirrors broader industry observations that hybrids often provide a more immediate path to practical, low-emission mobility.
Industry voices agree that improving charging networks and reducing vehicle costs are essential to accelerate adoption. Some experts compare the Spanish charging ecosystem with benchmarks in other European cities, highlighting the need for more high‑power points and faster charging to minimize downtime for drivers. The shared conclusion is clear: coordinated action from policymakers, regional bodies, and the auto sector is needed to meet both national and EU targets for decarbonizing transport.
All-electric vehicles remain a small portion of the mobility mix today, but industry forecasts show steady growth as infrastructure expands. The latest reporting on Alicante shows ongoing sales activity, with a notable share of electric and hybrid models among new registrations. Market momentum will hinge on continued investment in charging, reductions in vehicle price, and consistent policy support that keeps the region on a path toward greater electrification.