Barcelona City Council has announced an ambitious €15 million plan to accelerate the transition to electric mobility, offering a €600 subsidy to residents who scrap their old combustion-engine mopeds and purchase a new electric model. The initiative, set to launch on 1 March 2026, is a cornerstone of the city’s strategy to achieve a fully electric moped fleet by 2030.
Your browser does not support the video tag.
The subsidy aims to remove the remaining 24,000 petrol-powered mopeds from Barcelona’s streets, which the council estimates are responsible for approximately 3,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. With two-wheeled vehicles representing nearly four out of every ten private motorised vehicles, the city is one of Europe’s most prominent hubs for motorcycle and moped use.
Speaking at the Ca l’Alier innovation centre, Mayor Jaume Collboni described the scheme as an “unprecedented and radically new measure.” He emphasised its role in promoting the city’s green transition while acknowledging Barcelona’s identity as a “motorcycle city.”
How the Subsidy Works
To be eligible for the grant, applicants must meet a few key criteria. They must be officially registered as residents in Barcelona and must provide proof that they have scrapped a combustion moped with an engine size of up to 49cc. Companies with a registered headquarters in the city can also apply to renew their vehicle fleets.
The process, as outlined by the mayor, is designed to be straightforward:
- The owner takes their old moped to a municipal depot, where the scrapping service will be provided free of charge. They will receive an official certificate of destruction.
- The owner purchases a new electric vehicle and obtains a purchase invoice.
- With these two documents, the applicant can complete a form to directly access the €600 aid.
According to council estimates reported by El Periódico, the subsidy will cover between 16% and 40% of the total cost of a new electric moped, depending on the model chosen. Currently, of the 32,000 mopeds registered in the city, 8,000 (25%) are already electric.
Targeting a Generational Shift
Mayor Collboni highlighted that the programme is particularly aimed at younger residents, who are the primary users of small-engine mopeds. “This is also the group with the worst economic and working conditions, and they often lack the necessary resources to change their moped,” he explained.
The city-level initiative also fills a notable gap in national policy. The Spanish government’s Plan MOVES III, which provides incentives for electric vehicles, does not extend to mopeds. “That is why we are promoting this €600 grant, to extend incentives to all types of vehicles,” Collboni added.
This financial support is part of a wider city strategy that has seen other subsidies introduced, such as the new aid for first-time homebuyers, and efforts to create a more sustainable urban environment, including the ‘Obrim Carrers’ pedestrianisation scheme.
Investing in Infrastructure
Alongside the direct subsidies, the council is dedicating an additional €3 million over four years to expand the city’s charging infrastructure. This funding will support the creation of at least 64 new battery exchange stations, a system particularly suited to mopeds which often use lighter, removable batteries.
Private operators, such as petrol stations and covered car parks, can apply for grants of up to €45,000, covering as much as 60% of the installation cost. In return, they must keep the service open to the public for at least four years.
These measures are all integrated within Barcelona’s overarching Pla Clima (Climate Plan), a municipal roadmap designed to adapt the city to the challenges of climate change. With this new programme, the council aims to not only make transport greener but also to ensure the transition is accessible for all residents.
