The European Union’s (EU) decision to impose definitive tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles has a direct impact on the Spanish automotive industry, one of the most important in Europe.
In this regard, Raúl Morales García, Communications Director of Faconauto, tells Mobility Portal España:
“Tariffs in the sector have never been positive.”
What is the reason for this?
Chinese brands are looking to introduce their vehicles in Europe, which represents an opportunity for dealer networks to offer new products and services to their customers.
“Buyers are asking for these cars, but the arrival of Asian models must be carried out in a balanced way with respect to those already operating on the continent,” he explains.
He therefore emphasises that Spanish entrepreneurs see this as an opportunity to invest in brands that can generate a return on their investments.
The European measure, which reaches up to 45.3% for manufacturers such as SAIC and Geely, seeks to level the competitive playing field by countering Chinese government subsidies.
Brussels hopes this will facilitate the ecological transition, ensuring “fair competition”, they argued.
Beyond tariffs, Morales highlights the urgency of promoting the sale of zero- and low-emission cars in Spain to meet CO2 targets and make the sector’s investments profitable.
“Without a clear commitment to the sale of electrified vehicles, we will reduce the competitiveness of the European industry,” he said.
In this context, Faconauto has asked the EU to re-evaluate the emissions targets for 2026, proposing to bring forward this review to 2025.
This strategy is key to avoiding fines for manufacturers who fail to comply with CO2 reduction limits
Morales warns that these sanctions, such as those that have affected manufacturers in Germany, “reduce competitiveness at the industrial level.”
What does Faconauto propose to accelerate change?
The association’s representative highlights three main measures to promote electrification in the national territory:
1. Maintain direct purchasing aid , such as the Moves Plan, but ensuring that discounts are applied directly to the invoice, eliminating current bureaucracy.
2. Establish favorable taxation for companies that opt for electric vehicles, encouraging their mass adoption.
3. Facilitate the installation of charging points, reducing administrative obstacles.
“With these initiatives, 25% of the population could be mobilized to purchase an electrified vehicle,” he says.
What do you mean by this? A few months ago, Faconauto proposed that, by 2025, conditions will be met in Spain for 25% of registrations to be zero- and low-emission cars.
Why? “Because 25% of the population, due to their economic level and mobility habits, would already be in a position to purchase this type of car,” he explains.
However, he points out that the lack of definition regarding the future of the Moves Plan for 2025 represents a challenge.
An uncertain industrial outlook
Despite these efforts, registration figures in Spain are showing a decline.
According to Faconauto, the market for electrified vehicles has fallen to 10% this year, compared to 12% last year, well below the European average of 20%.
Morales describes 2024 as “a lost year,” as well as 2023, which could compromise the national territory’s ability to justify new investments in production plants.
However, the Director of Communications is optimistic about the future.
He believes that competition, driven by Chinese brands and new, more affordable European models, together with a growing charging network, will reduce barriers to electric car adoption.
“Electric mobility will be the first option to achieve the goal of zero emissions,” he emphasizes.
