MOVES III: An opportunity to consolidate the charging network Spain needs. By Laura Goncalves (PowerDot)

By Laura Goncalves, Managing Director of Powerdot in Spain

What makes a plan truly work? Is it the budget that makes the difference, or the way it's implemented? In the debate over the electrification of transport in Spain, these questions are especially relevant.

The institutional commitment is clear. With the recent extension of the MOVES III Plan, an additional €400 million has been incorporated and it has been extended until December 31, 2025. According to the Ministry for Ecological Transition, the program has already mobilized more than €1.735 billion, supporting the purchase of 142,000 electric vehicles and promoting the application for or installation of more than 113,000 charging points (including private and company charging stations) throughout the country. These are significant figures that demonstrate progress on the path toward more sustainable mobility, essential for achieving the emissions targets defined at the European level.

However, the data does not always reflect what is happening on the ground. The implementation of aid varies from one autonomous community to another, and in many of them, administrative processes remain complex and slow. This gap between available investment and its actual implementation directly affects the pace of charging network deployment, as well as public perceptions of the viability of electric cars. In this sense, the new push toward digitalization and simplification of procedures in some communities is a promising measure, but it is still insufficient if it is not extended in a coordinated manner throughout the country.

From the experience of those of us who operate this infrastructure daily, we know that the challenge is not only installing more charging stations, but also ensuring they are well-located, accessible, and operational. At Powerdot, we're working precisely in this direction, developing charging networks in locations integrated into everyday life, such as supermarkets and shopping centers, and adapting each installation to the specific needs of the environment.

Lessons from abroad

This isn't about talking about the future, but about resolving what's happening now. If we don't ensure that aid is translated into agile and effective projects, we will be missing a valuable opportunity. Countries like France and Portugal have demonstrated that when management is coordinated and procedures are simplified, the impact is multiplied. In Spain, although the plan maintains comparable incentives (up to €7,000 per scrapped vehicle), the price limit for accessing the aid remains lower than in neighboring countries—€42,000 in Spain versus €62,000 in Portugal—which may limit its reach.

Furthermore, while plug-in hybrids have lost ground in other markets due to their limited contribution to real decarbonization, they are still included in the subsidies in Spain. This approach could be counterproductive if we want to move toward full and effective electrification of the vehicle fleet.

Beyond the budget: Is the system working?

MOVES III can play a key role, but only if we stop measuring success by the amount of funding mobilized and start measuring it by the quality of the solutions implemented. Is this network reaching those who need it? Is it designed to last? Is it designed to facilitate, not complicate? These questions are answered in the daily experiences of users and operators, who face specific challenges in infrastructure implementation.

Financing is essential, but the real value lies in how it's implemented. From the sector, we clearly see where the critical points are and also the possibilities for improvement. Electrification cannot depend solely on grand announcements. It requires vision, agile administrative processes, and genuine collaboration between institutions and companies. If we manage to align investment with efficient and coordinated management, then yes, we will be building a useful, equitable network prepared for the change already underway.

Laura Goncalves Managing Director of Powerdot in Spain

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