During a Friday briefing, Nadia Calviño, the First Vice President and Minister for Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation, outlined a key update on the Strategic Project for Economic Recovery and Transformation in the Electric and Connected Vehicle Sector, known as PERTE VEC. She announced that the second phase of financial aid dedicated to batteries would be activated in June, marking a significant step in the government’s plan to accelerate domestic battery production and strengthen the nation’s electric vehicle supply chain. Calviño emphasized that this phase follows the European Commission’s recent approval of support for battery manufacturing for electric and connected vehicles, underscoring a coordinated effort between national policy and European funding streams to bolster industry resilience and competitiveness.
In parallel coverage of the event, Calviño participated in an election breakfast with the mayor of Santiago, taking questions from members of the press who were present. The discussions highlighted the EC’s approval as a turning point and reinforced the government’s commitment to advancing strategic investments in the battery sector. The remarks reinforced a forward-looking stance: with the European backing secured, Spain is positioned to deploy the second tranche of PERTE VEC while aligning with broader goals of energy diversification, local job creation, and technological leadership in the automotive value chain.
Speaking on Galicia’s role, Calviño reminded listeners of the strong ties between national policy and regional industrial activity. She referenced Stellantis, noting the company’s Vigo factory as a visible symbol of the country’s manufacturing capability and its importance to the PERTE VEC program. Her comments conveyed optimism that Stellantis would deepen its commitments alongside the already announced 15 million euros in investments. The discussion also covered the broader package of support for electrical infrastructure and grid connections that are intended to sustain ongoing investment. Calviño underscored that, with the EC’s endorsement and the government’s ongoing support, the second stage of the PERTE VEC can proceed, enabling continued expansion of local production capacity and the scaling of supply chains within Spain to meet growing demand for electric and connected vehicle technologies.