Overwhelming Number of MOVES Applications Remain Unprocessed: Status of Grants Unclear
The new phase of the MOVES III 2025 Plan, aimed at promoting electric mobility, has been activated in a few regions, bringing notable advancements in renewable energy projects and job creation. However, some challenges remain for users and authorities alike.
In the Community of Madrid, the application process for the extended plan is carried out online, allowing both individual users and authorized representatives to submit applications retroactively from 1 January 2025. Yet, a significant issue arises as bank statements showing payment, a common method for many ChargeGuru users, are not accepted by the regional authorities, causing frustration among users.
ChargeGuru Iberia has reported technical issues with the application platforms in regions such as Andalusia and Galicia, preventing them from initiating applications. The situation in Asturias remains at a standstill regarding the MOVES III 2025 Plan. These issues have raised concerns about the rapid depletion of funds once the portals finally go live, potentially leaving many applicants out.
Industry association Aedive has reported delays in activating the MOVES III 2025 Plan in various autonomous communities. The regional authorities require proof of payment that is difficult to provide with bank card payments, adding to the complexity of the application process.
Ricard Puiggrós, an electric mobility expert, has criticised the MOVES Plan for causing frustration among users and hindering change. He proposes abandoning direct purchase subsidies and replacing them with structural measures such as tax incentives, free parking, reduced tolls, and a well-distributed charging network.
Despite these challenges, more than 263 million euros has been approved for eleven regions in the new phase of MOVES III. Catalonia has been allocated 65.5 million euros, Madrid 57.1 million euros, the Valencian Community 42.6 million euros, Galicia 22.7 million euros, the Basque Country 18.7 million euros, Castilla-La Mancha 17.2 million euros, Aragón 11.2 million euros, Extremadura 8.9 million euros, Asturias 8.5 million euros, Navarra 5.5 million euros, and Cantabria 4.9 million euros.
The funds will subsidise both the purchase of electric vehicles and the installation of charging points, with additional benefits for municipalities with fewer than 5,000 inhabitants and individuals with reduced mobility. The Community of Madrid has allocated a total budget of 54.5 million euros for the new phase, with 43.6 million euros for electric vehicle purchases and 10.9 million euros for charging infrastructure installation.
In the past two months, regions that received MOVES III 2025 Plan funds have made significant progress, including advancing renewable energy projects, creating new jobs in renewables, and implementing infrastructure improvements like enhanced inland waterways and better hinterland connections of ports. These achievements align with high financial absorption rates and targeted goals such as cross-border transport sections and deploying ERTMS technology.
As the MOVES III 2025 Plan continues to unfold, it is crucial for authorities to address the challenges faced by users and streamline the application process to ensure a smooth transition towards a more sustainable and electric future. The application process in Andalusia is expected to open before 3 July 2025, offering a potential solution to some of the issues faced by users in the region.
