The launch date for the next round of financial support for people buying electric cars has not been announced, despite the Government having previously allocated a further €10 million for the scheme.

This uncertainty comes after increased demand rapidly exhausted the first €10 million tranche made available this year.

The Government opened applications for the latest electric vehicle incentive on 11 June, with the €10 million fund covering zero-emission passenger cars, electric vehicles, motorcycles, and charging equipment, which closed on 27 July after the available money was committed.

The Ministry of Environment and Energy says there is currently no decision on when a new call for applications could be launched, and any further allocation will depend on how existing schemes perform and how much money remains available in the Environment Fund.

First scheme

The level of demand helps explain why prospective buyers are watching closely for another round.

In June, the scheme was exhausted within hours of opening.

As reported by ECO, applications for passenger cars from individual buyers closed at 6.18pm on the first day, less than two hours after the scheme opened at 4.30pm. Other categories, including electric motorcycles and condominium charging points, also reached their limits that evening.

For private buyers, the passenger-car incentive was worth €4,000 towards a new 100 percent electric vehicle, subject to the programme’s eligibility rules, which was capped at €38,500, rising to €55,000 for those with more than five seats.

This scheme also applied retrospectively to eligible vehicles bought from 1 January 2025, allowing some motorists who had missed earlier rounds to apply.

Delayed notice

The Government had authorised a total of €20 million for electric mobility support, split into two €10 million tranches.

When the first tranche was announced, Environment Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho said the second half could potentially be released later in the year, depending on the international situation and pressure on the Environmental Fund.

However, the Ministry has pointed to spending required to deal with damage caused by storms, as well as measures introduced in response to the crisis in the Middle East and its impact on fuel prices.

The Environmental Fund is being used to support measures including assistance for fuel, taxis, freight transport and emergency services.

As a result, the Ministry has confirmed that no new notice is currently defined and that any decision will depend on the fund’s financial capacity.

For motorists, that means the €10 million remains more of a possibility rather than a new verified application window.

Transport funding

While private motorists wait, the Government has been moving ahead with a separate funding programme.

The new Mobility and Transport Fund has a total budget of €14.8 million for 2026, covering eight areas including sustainable urban mobility, school mobility, urban logistics, public transport and the decarbonisation of taxis.

Launched in August, the first three calls made more than €2 million available, of which around €1 million is earmarked for urban logistics, while the taxi programme has a €700,000 overall allocation and supports the purchase of fully electric taxis and charging infrastructure.

These measures are separate from the €10 million potentially available for private electric-car buyers.