CAES Electric Car: the new assistance for switching to an electric car

Most users are unaware of the term CAE or Energy Savings Certificate, but like the Moves III Plan, it promotes the purchase of electric vehicles and the scrapping of old combustion vehicles. Additionally, Energy Savings Certificates can also be generated through the renovation or upgrading of homes.

At V2C, as designers and manufacturers of 100% electric car chargers in Spain, we explain everything you need to know to benefit from these CAE aids for electric cars. Keep reading to find out if you can apply for it!

What is the CAES or Energy Savings Certificate?

The CAES stands for Energy Savings Certificates, a tool created by the Government of Spain to reward those who reduce energy consumption. The Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) is the driving and regulatory entity of the Energy Savings Certificate (CAE) system in Spain.

According to MITECO: “An Energy Savings Certificate (CAE) is an electronic document that guarantees that, after carrying out an energy efficiency action, a savings in final energy consumption has been achieved.”

What is the CAES of an electric car?

In the automotive sector, the CAE for electric cars applies to those who replace a combustion vehicle with a new electric car. In simple terms: when you buy an electric car and hand over your old gasoline or diesel car, that energy savings is transformed into a CAE certificate, which the user can sell and profit from.

How do you apply for the CAES of an electric car?

The application process for a CAES for your electric car is straightforward:

• Hand over a combustion car that is at least 12 months old and registered in your name.
• Purchase an electric vehicle within the same period you hand over your old vehicle.
• Request the calculation of your electric car CAES from an official management body such as CAE Digital – Electric Car (a platform specialized in processing the Energy Savings Certificate) and submit all requested documents (technical sheet, proof of ownership, certificate of deregistration or transfer).
• Get €350 immediately with the CAE Digital Express Payment! You can also wait and receive €600 when your application is approved with Future Payment.

This mechanism makes the CAES a perfect complement to the MOVES III Plan, as both can be combined to further reduce the purchase cost.

If you are thinking about buying an electric car and need an electric car charger, do not hesitate to contact us; we provide you with our national network of electric car charger installers.

What is the difference between the CAES and the MOVES III Plan?

Although both incentives aim to promote electric mobility, their operation is different.

• The MOVES III Plan in 2025 requires justifying the purchase, waiting for administrative periods of up to 12 months, and in some cases, advancing the money until receiving the aid.
• The CAE for electric cars, on the other hand, can be requested as soon as the electric vehicle is purchased, and you can receive the money in just a few weeks.

Like the Moves III Plan, some brands and official dealerships are offering direct management of the CAES if you scrap an electric vehicle with them and offer a direct discount on the purchase price.

Feature	Electric Car CAE (CAES)	MOVES III Plan
Type of aid	Energy Savings Certificate managed by the Government	Public subsidy managed by CCAA
Application of the discount	Almost immediate upon selling your CAES	Deferred, after months of processing
Maximum amount	Up to €600 with CAE Digital (CAE for Electric Car) in your bank account or as bonuses or discounts from other companies (depending on energy savings)	Up to €7,000 for individuals (depending on conditions)
Compatibility	Compatible with MOVES III Plan and other aids	Compatible with CAE and regional deductions
Processing	Easily managed with managing bodies	Requires application, justification, and administrative periods
Beneficiaries	Buyers of new electric cars who hand over combustion cars older than 12 months	Individuals, self-employed, and companies
Payment of the aid	In a few weeks after submission	Between 12 and 24 months of waiting
Main objective	Promote certified energy efficiency in mobility	Boost the electrification of the vehicle fleet

Price of the electric car CAE: How much money can you save with the CAES?

Currently, the maximum discount can reach €600, depending on the managing company or the type of bonus they offer.

• Some companies offer discounts on their services over time for selling your CAE with them. Another manager that offers direct bank transfer is CAE Digital with €350 in just 48 hours in your bank account and also has a payment option starting at 3 months for €600.
• This benefit is in addition to other regional and state bonuses such as the Moves III Plan.

What requirements must you meet to access the electric car CAE aid?

To benefit from this aid, it is necessary to meet some basic conditions:

• Be the owner of a combustion car for at least 12 months.
• Hand over that car for scrapping or transfer its ownership.
• Purchase a new electric car (not second-hand).
• Sign the energy savings transfer agreement.

Where to apply for the CAES for the purchase of an electric car?

You can apply for your electric car CAES on a digital platform specialized in processing the Energy Savings Certificate. The process is very simple; you just need to fill in your details and those of the purchased and handed-over vehicle. These types of platforms simplify the process, making the aid much more direct than any other aid for electric cars.

Who can the CAES be sold to and how does its market work?

The Energy Savings Certificate (CAE) is not only useful for the buyer of an electric car in terms of economic benefit, but it also integrates into a regulated market where it can be bought and sold. This market is designed for energy companies and entities required to contribute to the National Energy Efficiency Fund (FNEE) to fulfill their legal commitments by acquiring these certificates.

In practice, CAEs are sold to:

• Energy marketers, who need them to certify their participation in savings and efficiency programs.
• Companies with environmental obligations, which must demonstrate annual reductions in energy consumption.
• Authorized entities or intermediaries, who act as managers in the buying and selling of certificates.

In this way, the CAE becomes an asset with real economic value. For the buyer of an electric car, this certificate acts as a financial mechanism that connects users who generate energy savings with companies that must justify it.

This system promotes investment in cleaner and more efficient technologies, boosts electric mobility, and ensures that energy companies meet the sustainability goals set by the Government. The CAE market is a key piece of the energy transition in Spain: it rewards citizens who opt for an electric car and offers companies a clear path to meet their savings and decarbonization objectives.

Can you obtain an energy certificate for free when buying an electric car?

Yes, the companies that manage these certificates retain a certain percentage of the CAE value, although the entire processing and management is completely free on digital management platforms. Thus, the customer receives the economic benefit without having to pay fees or external processing.

Energy savings certificate and electric mobility in Spain

The Energy Savings Certificate has become a new pillar to promote electric mobility in Spain. Unlike other countries, where incentives often depend on tax deductions, in Spain the CAE offers a tangible and immediate benefit.

At V2C, we see it as an opportunity to democratize access to electric cars, especially at a time when cities are moving towards low-emission zones and increasingly strict restrictions on combustion vehicles.

If you are thinking about making the switch to an electric car, take advantage of this aid and check the aids for installing electric car chargers and find your trusted installer through our professional network.

Source: CAE Electric Car – CAE Digital