The newly elected president of the Generalitat of Catalonia, Salvador Illa, marks the beginning of a new era for electric mobility in Catalonia.
How? With the promise of revitalizing local industry and promoting sustainability in the region.
With the return of the Catalan Socialist Party (PSC) to the Catalan government after 14 years of pro-independence leadership, expectations are high about how it will address electromobility and the sector is watching with interest the first moves of the new government.
“We all have hope every time the Government changes,” said Albert Sagarra i Segarra, member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Electric Vehicle Users (AUVE), to Mobility Portal España.
However, he emphasizes: “But in reality there are few improvements we can expect.”
What does the PSC ensure?
Illa has begun his term with the clear intention of reactivating the economy and strengthening the local productive fabric.
In his recent statements, he highlighted the agreement between EBRO and Chery to manufacture electric vehicles at the plant in the Zona Franca in Barcelona, which he considers to be “great news”.
“Reindustrialisation projects like this are key to boosting Catalan industry, creating new jobs and generating prosperity,” he said on LinkedIn.
This approach not only aims to revive the economy, but also to consolidate Catalonia as a benchmark in the electric mobility sector.
Although he has not specifically announced his plans to reduce emissions, during his previous candidacy he made clear his commitment to the electrification of public transport.
He also highlighted the importance of transforming the vehicle fleet towards sustainable vehicles, committing to promoting the expansion of charging stations and creating lines of aid for local authorities.
In his latest speech, Illa underlines his intention to accelerate the decarbonisation of the Catalan economic environment and to prepare the infrastructure to achieve a climate-neutral economy by 2030.
“We will need to be brave in accelerating renewable energies, decarbonising the entire public sector and launching an aid programme to accelerate the decarbonisation of the industrial fabric and SMEs,” he says.
In this framework, appoint Sílvia Paneque as the new Minister of Territory, Ecological Transition and Housing.
Although the politician did not mention her sustainable mobility strategy either, in her latest public statements she stressed the importance of Low Emission Zones (LEZ).
“The ZBE should be seen as an opportunity to revive the city with more businesses and to think about mobility in terms of sustainability,” she said.
The councillor emphasises that transport must change in a progressive and well-thought-out manner, with a focus on gaining pedestrian spaces and improving public transport.
What legacy of electromobility does ERC leave behind?
The Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) has taken measures to promote electromobility, such as replacing official cars with electric models and renewing the Government’s fleet with zero emissions.
Not only that.
It also promoted the deployment of charging points and promoted “smart city” plans in major metropolises.
“Many events, fairs, conferences and talks were held and promoted, which helped raise awareness about electric mobility, but financially there has been no further support or action to speed up existing plans,” says Albert Sagarra i Segarra.
He added: “Currently, in Catalonia it takes about two years to receive the MOVES III for the purchase of an electric vehicle.”
How is Catalonia progressing in the management of the Moves?
Catalonia has been one of the most prominent regions in the implementation of this national programme, with a significant increase in the budget.
According to the Catalan Energy Institute, the Autonomous Community has received more than 123.37 million euros in applications for line 1 of electric cars, and has awarded 75.88 million euros, with a disbursement of 20.63 million euros.
For line 2, dedicated to the installation of charging points, more than 98.45 million euros have been managed in applications, with 69.96 million euros granted and 6.30 million euros paid.
Recently, the Department of Climate Action, Food and Rural Agenda of the Generalitat has increased the line of aid by 65 million euros.
The increase made by the department headed by David Mascort brings the total budget of the programme to 299 million euros, in order to cover all the applications received, as well as any new ones.
The deadline for submitting applications is December 31, 2024, the national administration announced.
It remains to be seen how the new Government will manage these grants and whether it will be able to maintain its second position in monthly registrations , with more than 10,185 registrations accumulated so far this year.
