Industry, Trade and Tourism Minister Reyes Maroto announced on Tuesday a commitment to extend the implementation period for projects under the Electric and Connected Vehicle (VEC) Perte program to 2028, aligning with the priorities of Spain’s automotive sector.
Speaking at a forum organized by the Spanish Association of Automobile and Truck Manufacturers (Anfac), Maroto noted that the new Perte call will be issued soon, with expectations to appear between March and May. The goal is to position Spain as a frontrunner in the evolving mobility model and to ensure the industry can accelerate its transition to electric and connected technologies.
The second Perte call, developed in collaboration with the European Commission and the automotive sector, will address bottlenecks identified in the first edition. Maroto explained that funding concepts enabled by European funds will be made more flexible, access requirements for small companies will be eased, and implementation timelines will be extended to support broader adoption.
The program will feature two competitive lines. One line remains highly selective, focusing on large-scale tractor projects that drive the supply chain and industrial capabilities. The second line is a simpler competition designed to finance individual projects with demonstrable impact on various stages of the value chain. This second line aims to improve access to European funds for small businesses while complementing the major tractor initiatives.
Regarding this new Perte VEC call, Maroto reiterated his confidence in the participation of global manufacturers, including Ford. At the inauguration of the Perte VEC initiative, he noted that the government had waived some of the originally allocated aid in recognition of evolving needs and opportunities.
Maroto highlighted a broader global outreach for Perte VEC, with calls totaling 2.069 billion euros earmarked for the automotive sector. This amount represents about half of the public funds initially allocated for the program. When taking into account funds already committed and available to companies, the figure stands at approximately 1.304 billion euros.
stimulate demand
Despite these allocations, Maroto acknowledged that Spain remains in a relatively cautious position regarding electric vehicle penetration compared with many European peers. The government’s priority is to boost demand, increase vehicle sales, and accelerate the deployment of a charging network deemed essential for widespread adoption. He underscored that the success of the program depends not only on manufacturing more cars but also on selling them and building the necessary charging infrastructure to support a growing fleet of electric vehicles.