Electric vehicles sit at the forefront of Spain’s climate strategy and the push to cut emissions, yet their share of the market remains small. In Alicante province, electric cars make up only about 0.56 percent of the fleet, roughly 6,000 units. Local car dealers are sounding the alarm and urge the government to offer meaningful incentives and a robust expansion of public charging networks to support everyday mobility with less friction.
The data tell a clear story. A study by the Institute of Economic Studies of Alicante Province (Ineca), using figures from the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT), shows that by the end of 2023 the province counted 1,069,713 passenger cars, representing 4.2 percent of Spain’s total. Of that total, only 5,986 were fully electric, a far cry from the 52.21 percent running on petrol and the 46.85 percent powered by diesel. In addition, LNG vehicles represented about 0.36 percent, equal to 3,832 units. Notably, electric vehicles in Alicante accounted for roughly 3.6 percent of the national total of such cars. (Source: Ineca, DGT)
These figures underline a weak market penetration for electric cars, despite being a priority highlighted by European authorities and the broader industry. This priority was reinforced at a recent assembly hosted by Faconauto, the national automotive dealers association, where boosting electric vehicle adoption emerged as a central issue. The forum called on the government to implement measures aimed at reversing Spain’s current drift in electric mobility uptake, which technicians fear could stall again this year. (Source: Faconauto)
At the same gathering, Marta Blázquez, president of the association, stressed the importance of addressing potential buyers who feel confused and drift toward apathy, and who may not be convinced to embrace electrification. The challenge, she argued, is to convert interest into actual purchases through clear, concrete support for buyers.
To address this, four strategic pillars were proposed to stimulate sales: making electric cars more affordable by delivering purchase-time incentives, creating a unified map of charging points, implementing fiscal policies that reward both individuals and businesses, and ensuring communications around private car use are constructive rather than punitive, especially in light of recent debates around mobility legislation. (Source: Faconauto)
Similarly, Ruth Candela, manager of Movilsa, a Ford dealership in Alicante, noted that electric cars remain more expensive than combustion-engine vehicles and that Spain’s subsidies are notably lower than those available in other European nations. She underscored the need to scale up charging infrastructure, arguing that current networks are inadequate. Under current conditions, the electric car is mainly bought for city use; for longer trips, many buyers lean toward hybrids. (Source: Movilsa)
Expanding charging infrastructure is a fundamental issue. The Spanish Association of Automakers and Trucks (Anfac) had already highlighted in earlier analyses the urgency to grow the province’s public charging terminals from around 700 to about 2,900 by 2025, effectively quadrupling the current network. This expansion is considered essential to unlock broader consumer confidence and practical daily use. (Source: Anfac)