Spain’s new‑car market posted a modest decline in May, the first year‑on‑year drop since December 2025, prompting analysis of the impact of delayed electric‑vehicle incentives.
May sales dip amid strong prior year
According to data compiled by Autovista24 from Faconauto and ANFAC, 111,894 new vehicles were registered last month. That represents a 0.8% fall compared with the same period a year earlier and a shortfall of 926 units versus the prior year’s performance.
The decline interrupts a stretch of monthly gains that had characterized the market in recent months. Nonetheless, the first five months of 2026 still show growth overall, with 519,283 passenger cars delivered, up 5.8% year on year.
EV incentives stalled, sales still rise
Spain’s push for electrified mobility has relied on government incentives. The MOVES III programme, which ran through 2025, boosted sales of battery‑electric (BEV) and plug‑in hybrid (PHEV) models. In December 2025, the Auto Plan+ was announced to replace that scheme, but its activation remains pending.
Although the plan will apply retroactively from 1 January 2026, officials have not yet issued a final operational notice. The uncertainty has drawn comments from industry leaders. José López‑Tafall, general director of ANFAC, said the Auto + plan “should not be delayed any longer” because it is essential for demand and for citizens’ access to electrified vehicles.
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May saw 12,049 new BEVs hit the road, a 34.4% increase over the previous year and an addition of 3,084 units. BEVs captured 10.8% of the market that month, lifting the share by 2.9 percentage points from a year earlier.
Plug‑in hybrids added 13,741 registrations, a 6.6% rise, contributing to a 12.3% market share. Together, BEVs and PHEVs accounted for 21.5% of new‑car registrations through May, a 5.7‑point gain from the start of the year.
The plug‑in segment’s share has been relatively flat since January, despite a 43.6% year‑on‑year increase in combined BEV and PHEV volumes. This stagnation may reflect the lingering ambiguity around the Auto Plan+.
Hybrid and ICE trends
Petrol registrations fell 20.3% to 122,249 units. Diesel sales dropped 27.6% to 20,046 units.
Outlook
Analysts note that the finalization of the Auto Plan+ could be a decisive factor for future growth. If the scheme is launched promptly, it may accelerate the shift away from ICEs and sustain the upward trajectory of BEVs and hybrids. Until then, the market will likely continue to reflect the mixed signals from policy and consumer demand.