The Spanish do not want electric cars at least until 2030

Despite the fact that Spain needs thousands of electric vehicles to meet the _CO2 emission reduction requirements demanded by the European Union by 2050, it is still at the tail end when it comes to implementation. Currently, while the Government struggles to promote initiatives such as the Moves Plan (an Incentives for Efficient and Sustainable Mobility program for the autonomous communities endowed with 65 million euros), there is a 70% of Spaniards who do not consider buying an electric vehicle in the next decade. This figure draws a situation in which the low acceptance of these vehicles in Spanish society is described, at least, until 2030.

The main problem encountered by a person who wants to acquire an electric vehicle is the price. Specifically, 63% of Spaniards think that the market value of these cars is still very high, as shown by OcasionPlus in its latest study. “Normally, they tend to be more expensive than combustion vehicles. In addition, State subsidies are scarce and each year they have different conditions, “says Raúl Morales, director of communication of the faconauto employers’ association. Currently, the provision of 5,500 euros in purchase aid seems to be insufficient for most drivers. Even if they adhere to the Moves Plan, with the scrapping of the vehicle in case it is more than 10 years old, the investment in a less polluting car is “difficult to access for many”.

Another obstacle that slows down Spaniards when investing in these vehicles is the range of autonomy. According to the concessionaire company, “56% consider that autonomy is scarce in mid-range models”. Also “the absence of recharging points is another factor that slows down the purchase of electric vehicles, especially on highways and roads,” says Morales, since despite the improvement that battery technology has experienced in recent years, “it is still insufficient for most buyers.”

As a result, the expert emphasizes that what is needed is a “country plan” to drive the expansion of the electric vehicle, “and this is something that is not happening.” What it is about is that “the electric vehicle can reach the entire population and that an industry is generated around the automotive industry capable of attracting both investments in new electric models and battery factories for this fleet,” says Morales. In this sense, Faconauto advocates “a policy decided by electric mobility, a plan of recharging points, the flexibilization of regulations, a change in the taxation of the car – so that the electric vehicle is taxed lower – and a portfolio of economic stimuli so that more citizens have access to the purchase of these cars”.

At the moment, Spain is still behind in the race of electric mobility. “It is a process that will be gradual and that will require all technologies to be combined,” adds Morales, “and until that is done, Spaniards will only have the current alternatives, combustion vehicles and hybrids,” the latter being an alternative increasingly present in the minds of buyers, specifically 48% of Spaniards. What is clear is that in 2020 automotive policies will be tightened and both the Government and dealers and buyers “have to be aware that registered cars cannot exceed 95 grams of CO₂ per kilometer, so we will have to take measures to reduce the figure of 118 grams that Spain registered on average last year. ”

In any case, energy is still a pending issue for seven out of ten households, which are not willing to optimize their consumption. In fact, only 40% are willing to invest in their home to improve their energy conditions, although it could generate savings of up to 2,000 euros a year, according to Acierto.com

Source: Reason