Wayne Griffiths, president of the Automaker Employers Association of Seat and Anfac, witnessed the presence of the Finance Minister during a pivotal moment for Spain’s automotive future. The Future Fast Forward industrial initiative, led by Seat and Volkswagen, is being positioned as a catalyst for electrification and industrial renewal. The proposal on the table centers on making electric vehicle purchases more affordable through targeted tax incentives that would support the renewal of Spain’s vehicle fleet and, crucially, speed up the deployment of charging infrastructure.
Griffiths issued a clear call: rather than demonizing cars, the government should help democratize electromobility. He argued for tax incentives that would make electrification financially attractive for Spaniards, while simultaneously pushing for more charging points and a robust charging network. In responding, the Finance Minister did not commit to the complete offer but acknowledged that Spain and its partners were distant from the target of installing 100,000 charging points within the year, emphasizing that improving charging access for users remains essential.
Industry sources from Anfac outline the core demand: direct subsidies for electric vehicle purchases, combined with favorable tax treatment across VAT, personal income tax (IRPF), and corporate tax (IS). The aim is to enable companies to retire old fleets in favor of electrified ones, with moves like the Moves Plan cited as a step in the right direction. Yet industry leaders feel the current aid is insufficient. Beneficiaries face long wait times, often 12 to 15 months, before funds arrive and taxes on the aid must be paid, a contrast to other European nations such as Germany where processes are streamlined. The expectation is that more timely and tax-efficient support would accelerate fleet electrification.
The Future Fast Forward project has become a centerpiece in public discourse, securing a substantial portion of funding from what is described as the world’s largest aid package for a strategic project devoted to the improvement and economic transformation of electric and connected vehicles. The official estimate places the public backing at 397.37 million euros, a figure viewed by beneficiaries as only a starting point against their broader expectations. They anticipate a strong employment impact, with estimates suggesting around 145,000 jobs could be created and more than 2.4 billion euros in tax and social security contributions over time. These projections underscore the project’s potential to ripple through the economy beyond the automotive sector.
On the governmental side, Francis White, the new Secretary General for Industry, represented the ministry in discussions, highlighting the absence of the head of the ministry, and signaling plans for a bilateral summit with Morocco. While no public action was taken at that moment, White signaled a willingness to revisit the second call for the Strategic Project for the Improvement and Economic Transformation of Electric and Connected Vehicles (Perte VEC), a process described by Montero as a learning curve after the initial attempt. The government managed to allocate 877 million euros in the first round, drawing from European Next Generation funds and a larger pool of nearly 3,000 million earmarked for such programs. Prospects for additional funding remained on the horizon, with mentions of a potential 2.1 billion euros being negotiated with Brussels and a three-year extension of fund execution to 2028. Observers note that public accessibility to related information and data could improve, though details remain sparse.
In this evolving landscape, the dialogue between industry and government reflects a shared ambition to accelerate Spain’s transition to electric mobility while ensuring the economic benefits are widely felt. The emphasis on faster, more streamlined support mechanisms — alongside ambitious targets for charging infrastructure and EV adoption — frames future policy decisions as a balancing act between public investment, private enterprise, and consumer incentives. As the period of policy refinement continues, stakeholders will monitor outcomes from the Moves Plan and the VEC initiative, comparing Spanish approaches with those in other European economies to identify best practices and areas for adjustment. (Source: ANFAC briefing on industry positions and funding allocations)