Car, motorcycle, truck and van registrations increased on average 42%. In addition, Diesel cars, the most polluting ones, have lost their leadership, being at their lowest market share since 2000. In this regard, Saboya believes this is probably due to a bigger environmental sensitivity. He said new initiatives will be considered in order to continue promoting less polluting vehicles.
More subsidies for Engega program
In 2017, the government decided to further promote the use of solely electric vehicles, with a subsidy of up to 8,000 euros for cars, twice the amount of 4,000 euros for hybrids. Thus, Saboya considered the impact of the program has been positive, since it represents an improvement for the environment.
In fact, of the 650,000 euros already granted from the 2017 Engega program, 470,750 euros were for the purchase of solely electric vehicles, 136,750 euros for plug-in hybrid vehicles, and 39,750 for car scrapings. Also, the Minister recalled that the amount planned for this year was 850,000 euros, so 200,000 euros are still available for electric mobility subsidies.