Sometimes, life gives you a bitter smile. You walk into a dealership full of excitement, ready to join the electric future, and suddenly… the funds are gone. The Spanish government’s Plan MOVES III, the great promise of up to €7,000 in support for buying an electric or plug-in hybrid car, has run dry in many regions.
Just like a traffic jam at rush hour, the situation leaves you frustrated, asking yourself the same question thousands of buyers are asking today:
“Will I still receive my subsidy, or did I just sign a contract for nothing?”
And the truth is harsh: many communities have already used up their allocated funds, and buyers are left in uncertainty.
🚘 MOVES III Runs Out: What Happened and Why It Affects You
Let’s begin with the facts. MOVES III was supposed to be the bridge between your dream of owning an electric car and the reality of paying for it. A simple promise:
“Buy your EV, wait a little, and the government will send you up to €7,000.”
But reality is different. Madrid, Catalonia, Valencia, Castilla y León, and many others have already exhausted every euro available. Madrid, for example, opened the application window in June with €57 million. In less than a month, poof—all gone.
Meanwhile, the number of EV purchases keeps growing. Not necessarily because it is cheap, but because more people believe in cleaner mobility and want to take advantage of incentives before they disappear forever.
Here comes the painful part: the law does NOT guarantee that you will get the subsidy just because you submitted the request. The funds are limited. Once the pot runs dry, the only thing left is paperwork and disappointment.
This means many buyers are now waiting in line, hoping for a miracle, and dealerships are the ones trying to keep the deal alive.
Some manufacturers have even advanced the subsidies as a 0% discount, which sounds amazing at first. Until December arrives and the government still has not paid a single euro. Then suddenly, you might have to return that money.
Not a pleasant Christmas gift.
🏁 Dealers, Brands, and Customers in Survival Mode — Why You Should Act Now
This is not an exaggeration. We are talking about thousands of people who already bought their EV or PHEV, received the promised discount, and still have no confirmation of subsidy approval.
Dealerships are doing acrobatics. They discount, they promise, they reassure you: “Don’t worry, the money will arrive.” But even they don’t know.
Worse yet, some buyers might not receive the subsidy until 2026. Yes, 2026. Two years after purchasing the car. And that’s the optimistic scenario if additional funding arrives.
The sector has already raised its voice. They want a centralized, predictable system, where funds come directly from the national level — not from each regional government with its own deadlines, rules, and budget limits. Because the current method feels more like a lottery than a strategic energy transition plan.
And just when you think it cannot get more complicated, here is the final twist:
If the dealership never told you that “funds may run out,” you still have no guaranteed right to receive the subsidy.
That’s right. Even if you did everything correctly, you might end up with zero euros simply because you arrived late.
Yet, this crisis also brings opportunity — if you act strategically.
📑 What to Do If You Are One of the Buyers (And How to Protect Your Money)
Now, more than ever, you must become a smart buyer.
Before anything else, save every document. Every invoice, every contract, every message from the dealership. You must be able to prove not only that you purchased the car but also that you were told how the subsidy would work.
Then, review your contract carefully. If the dealership advanced the money, check:
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What happens if the subsidy is not paid?
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Will you have to return the money?
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Do you have deadlines?
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Is it written in legal terms, not just verbal promises?
This is where most people make a mistake: they trust verbal explanations more than written agreements.
Next, monitor the official pages frequently:
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The website of your autonomous community
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The website of IDAE, the national energy agency
Sometimes funds are reactivated quietly. Sometimes new calls appear. If you react first, you win.
And finally — the most conversion-oriented advice:
👉 Work with a professional service that helps buyers claim subsidies and manage all the paperwork.
Whether you are buying now or already waiting, a specialized service can:
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Prepare and submit your claim properly
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Represent you if funds reopen
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Ensure you do not lose your right due to technical mistakes
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Negotiate with the dealer on your behalf
Paying for expert help is far cheaper than losing €7,000.
Even if you already bought your EV, you still have options — but only if you take action before year-end.
⚡ The Future: A New Renove Plan and What Comes Next
There is light at the end of the tunnel — or at least, a rumor of light.
The new Sustainable Mobility Law will introduce a Plan Renove to complement MOVES. In theory, this will make buying an electric car easier, with more predictable financial support.
But the timeline remains unclear.
Will it arrive early enough for current buyers?
Will it refund those who are already stuck?
Nobody knows yet.
Until then, we are in a transition moment. Just like switching from diesel to electric — confusing, messy, but inevitable.
So, you have two choices:
❌ Sit and hope someone will rescue your subsidy
✔ Act now: check your documents, demand written guarantees, follow official updates, and hire professional help if needed
Because in the end, the electric revolution is coming whether governments are ready or not.
You just need to protect yourself — and make sure you do not become another sad story of good intentions and bad timing.
🔑 Final Takeaway
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MOVES III funds are gone in many regions
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You might NOT receive your subsidy even if you applied
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Dealerships are advancing discounts but may demand the money back
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Some payments will be delayed until 2026
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The only safe strategy is: documentation + follow-up + professional assistance
The electric car market is growing. The future is moving fast.
But today?
Today, you must become smarter than the system.
And the winners will not be the ones with the best cars — but the ones who understand how to secure their money.
→ Need help ensuring you don’t lose your EV subsidy?
Work with an expert service now before the window closes.