Spanish electric vehicle 'revolution' appears to be stalling
Fri 13 August 2010
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Spanish government plans to 'kick-start' the uptake of electric vehicles appear to be stalling. In spite of major subsidies being made available and efforts to intall the required infrastructure, only 16 electric vehicles have been registered for use on Spanish roads this year.
Newly released figures from the administration show that only 16 electric vehicles have been registered for use on Spain's roads this year, compared with just one in 2009.
The Industry Ministry's plan was to have 2,000 electric cars on the road by the end of 2010 and 20,000 electric and hybrid vehicles operating by 2011. Spain has also pledged to put one million electric cars on the road by 2014.
In April, Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero announced the government would invest euro590 million ($775 million) in promoting and developing production of electric cars over the next two years.
Utilities have been investing in electric infrastructure in various parts of Spain. Endesa is involved in rolling out e-mobility projects in cities such as Madrid and Barcelona and is also participating in technology initiatives associated with EVs. Earlier this year it unveiled its first EV recharging telephone booth, in Valencia.
Iberdrola is also undertaking a number of EV initiatives, including participating in Madrid's Movele Plan, which aims to install 280 recharging stations around the city.
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