If you have a petrol moped in Barcelona, the City Council pays you 600 euros to retire it: this is how to apply for the aid
The 600 euro aid for electric mopeds in Barcelona is aimed at motorcyclists who want to replace old combustion vehicles and contribute to the fight against climate change. The call opens on September 15, 2026, and has a limited annual budget of 5.2 million euros, which will be managed on a first-come, first-served basis. The aid is 600 euros per application, with a limit of 50% of the VAT-excluded price of the electric moped purchased, according to the terms approved by the City Council’s Governing Commission.
The measure is framed within the Climate Plan of the Barcelona City Council and aims to achieve a fleet of 100% electric mopeds by 2030, a milestone with a direct impact on reducing CO₂ emissions and air pollutants.
How does this call affect users and the sector?
What conditions must be met to apply for the aid?
All individuals and companies registered in Barcelona who prove the purchase of an electric moped and the dismantling of a combustion moped after March 1, 2026, can apply for the subsidy. The dismantling can be done at Barcelona Municipal Services (BSM) depots, which offer the service free of charge and provide a valid certificate to process the aid. The proof of purchase of the electric moped is submitted afterward.
What impact does this plan have on emission reduction?
Currently, there are about 8,000 electric mopeds in Barcelona, one quarter of the total 32,000 registered vehicles. The City Council estimates that only 18,000 of the remaining 24,000 combustion mopeds are used regularly, yet they generate about 3,000 tons of CO₂ annually. Renewing the fleet would help consolidate the improvement of air quality in the city, where nitrogen dioxide levels are already below current European limits.
What are the technical and logistical details of the call?
What budget and timeline does this plan have?
The budget for this first phase is 5.2 million euros and the call formally ends in 2028, although applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis until the annual budget is exhausted — therefore, it is advisable to anticipate and submit the documentation on time. A second call for identical aids is planned for the 2029-2030 period, which will raise the overall budget of the plan to 15 million euros.
What services does the City Council offer to facilitate the change?
The free dismantling service from BSM is key to ensuring that combustion mopeds are properly taken off the road. Additionally, the city council is preparing another line of aid to develop charging infrastructure, which would finance up to 64 battery swap stations. These stations will allow obtaining charged batteries in a few seconds, eliminating waiting time and facilitating daily mobility.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Start date | September 15, 2026 |
| Duration of call | Until the annual budget is exhausted (formal limit: 2028) |
| Annual budget | 5.2 million euros |
| Total budget plan 2026-2030 | 15 million euros |
| Aid amount | 600 euros (maximum 50% of the VAT-excluded price) |
| Dismantling condition | Combustion moped dismantled after March 1, 2026 |
| Municipal services | Free BSM dismantling and certificate |
What advantages and challenges does this initiative entail?
What benefits does it offer to consumers and the environment?
- Significant reduction of pollution in Barcelona and improvement of air quality.
- Economic saving of 600 euros on the purchase of an electric moped.
- Ease of dismantling old vehicles at no additional cost.
- Boost to sustainable mobility and reduction of urban noise.
- Project aligned with European emission reduction targets for 2030.
What challenges should be considered?
- The annual budget is limited and applications are processed in order of arrival, so it is necessary to act quickly.
- The aid is limited to 50% of the VAT-excluded price, meaning the investment is still significant for many users.
- Charging infrastructure is still under development, although there are plans to improve it.
- Some of the registered combustion mopeds are not used regularly, which may slow down the effective renewal pace of the fleet.
The reality is that these aids represent a clear opportunity for citizens and companies in Barcelona who want to move towards cleaner and more sustainable mobility. With a deadline opening on September 15 and applications attended on a first-come, first-served basis, it is advisable to have the documentation ready to submit from day one.
