There is a new package of public support on the way that could influence the decision of those thinking of changing their car in 2026. The Government is preparing a new edition of incentives for sustainable mobility, in a context of strong demand and growing renewal of the national car fleet, aimed at the acquisition of electric cars.
Support returns at the beginning of the year
According to the Environmental Fund, a public platform specialized in managing instruments to support environmental policies, the new incentive program should be launched during the first quarter of the year, with a global allocation of 20 million euros. The expectation is that the mechanism will be operational by March, allowing applications to be opened shortly after that date.
Political confirmation came through the Minister of Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, who indicated that the calendar is being accelerated following the strong participation registered in the last competition. The official highlighted that the intention is to avoid prolonged periods without active support, as this has a direct impact on consumers’ purchasing decisions.
Rules remain in line with previous editions
The rules of the new competition should remain, to a large extent, in line with those of the previous edition. The conditions provided for individuals continue to include the obligation to scrap a car with a combustion engine that is more than ten years old, the application of maximum limits to the price of eligible vehicles and the consideration of the household’s income when accessing support.
The support is mainly intended for the purchase of 100 percent electric vehicles, but should also cover plug-in hybrids again. The program also includes incentives for the installation of home chargers, reinforcing the infrastructure support component associated with electric mobility.
These criteria seek to ensure that public support is directed towards the effective renewal of the vehicle fleet and towards consumers who, without this framework, would have greater difficulty in accessing this type of technology.
Search ran out of funds again in hours
The high interest in this type of programs was evident in the last competition, which opened applications on December 29, 2025. The funds available for various types were exhausted within a few hours, in a scenario marked by the speed and size of the demand registered.
The strong support led the Government to announce, the very next day, the intention to move forward with a new edition of the program in 2026. The anticipation of the current calendar seeks to provide greater predictability to the automotive market and to consumers who plan to replace their vehicle in the coming months.
Incentives for the purchase of electric vehicles are part of a broader strategy to decarbonize transport, which involves reducing greenhouse gas emissions and renewing an aging vehicle fleet.
Costs and incentives continue to weigh on the decision
Although purchase prices remain, on average, higher than those for vehicles with combustion engines, this difference has been decreasing.
In 2026 it will be possible to find electric models below 20 thousand euros, especially when combined with commercial campaigns and public support.
Along with the purchase price, the total cost of use has been one of the most relevant factors for the growing adoption of this technology, with savings associated with energy, maintenance and tax benefits such as exemption from ISV and IUC.
According to , interested parties must prepare the necessary documentation in advance, confirm the eligibility of the intended vehicle and ensure the possibility of scrapping the old car. In a context of high demand, the speed of submitting applications could once again be decisive.
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