ACAP proposes to the government to expand the incentive program for the purchase of electric cars to “models with some type of electrification”, namely hybrids. “We are the trash can” of Europe’s polluting vehicles.
Adherence to the incentive program for the purchase of electric cars has been very limited especially because of a long-identified problem: the scrapping of old cars, which discourages interest in supporting the purchase of a zero-emissions vehicle.
In 2025, the program will reach more consumers, precisely due to the low uptake in the previous year: the balance that remained unallocated in 2024 (3.5 million euros) will be added to the allocation planned for 2025 (10 million).
For the Portuguese Automobile Association (ACAP), the solution is to reformulate incentives for electrification, including hybrid models in the support program, which is currently exclusive to 100% electric vehicles (excludes other electrified models).
“There should be an incentive for models with some type of electrification, not just 100% electric ones”said Helder Pedro, secretary general of ACAP.
“We are the dustbin” of Europe’s polluting vehicles
In 2024, the average age of vehicles in circulation will reach 14 years, a significant increase compared to the 7 years recorded in 2000. Approximately 28% of cars are between 15 and 20 years oldwhile 27% are over 20 years old. Fossil fuel cars predominate, with 55% running on diesel and 36% running on gasoline.
A The situation is worsened by the influx of imported used carswhich increase the average age of the national fleet. In 2024, 106 thousand used cars were imported. Only 1% of these vehicles were less than a year old, while 40% were between five and ten years old.
Pedro Lazarino, from Stellantis Portugal, says that the situation “is worrying” and that Portugal has been the target of a “liberalization of entry of more polluting vehicles”, which do not pay Ecovalor taxes, creating unfair competition: “we are the trash can” of polluting vehicles in Europe, he emphasizes.
