• This guide, drafted by REE and FEMP, aims to be a support and assistance tool for local governments bodies and for citizens at large, whom are key players for decarbonisation and a sustainable future.
• The use of electric vehicles can represent a reduction of more than 65% in greenhouse gases emissions and their efficiency is three times higher than that of conventional vehicles.

Spain has about 63,000 electric vehicles, 21,672 in the city of Madrid, followed by Catalonia with 16,700, according to data included in the ‘Electric Mobility Guide for local government bodies’ presented today in Bilbao by Red Eléctrica de España (REE) and the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP); a document which seeks to promote electric mobility in all corners of Spain, a country where the installation of nearly 100,000 electric vehicle charging points is foreseen for 2030 .

During the presentation of this guide, which was held within the framework of the SUMBio'19 Conference, REE’s Manager of System Operation Services Area, Juan José Prieto, and the Chairman of the FEMP, Abel Caballero, indicated that the objective of the Guide is to become a support and assistance tool for local government bodies and for citizens at large as part of the commitment to mobility in accordance with the principles of the energy transition that promotes sustainability, the fight against climate change and which places citizens at the forefront.

In this regard, both entities have put in value the transition towards a new energy model, which is more efficient and more sustainable, with a clear predominance of renewable energies that will be channelled through electricity. With this goal in mind, the increased integration of electric vehicles nationwide is a key driver to help bring down pollution levels in cities and helps reduce direct CO2 emission, thus improving air quality in urban areas.

REE’s Manager of System Operation Services Area, Juan José Prieto, highlighted that "the incorporation of one million electric vehicles could save up to 1.1 million tonnes of CO2 per year, equivalent to 1.3% of all emissions related to transportation and, as an integral part this challenge, both local entities and citizens at large are key players regarding decarbonisation and in achieving a sustainable future”.

Regarding the advantages of using electric vehicles, it was underlined that their use involves a reduction in greenhouse gases of more than 65% and that their efficiency is three times higher that of conventional vehicles. In addition, they help reduce noise pollution and save a considerable amount of fuel and require less maintenance.

Additionally, the Chairman of the FEMP, Abel Caballero, indicated that "implementing electric mobility in all cities and municipalities in Spain, and therefore to all the citizens, and to showcase the value of sustainable mobility and to extend it nationwide,  is the challenge and the objective of the collaboration agreement signed between FEMP and Red Eléctrica, and represents an initial commitment to achieve given targets: 100,000 electric vehicle charging points in 11 years, from here to 2030".

'Electric Mobility Guide for local and regional government bodies’

The Guide, which has been prepared in collaboration with the Spanish Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving, is the result of the collaboration agreement signed between REE and FEMP last December to offer technical assistance to municipalities, promote the use of electric vehicles nationwide and facilitate the installation of public charging points in cities and municipalities. In this context, REE, in its capacity as sole transmission agent and operator of the electricity system, promotes its Electric Vehicle Control Centre (CECOVEL) in order to provide information to municipalities to stimulate an intelligent management of charging points.

The document presented is structured in 10 chapters that provide practical information and specific answers that help local government bodies to incorporate electric mobility into their territories. Included and outlined, within its 32 pages, among other areas, are topics such as the models of vehicle available, their advantages, existing subsidies for their purchase, guidelines for the installation of charging points, EV charging costs and future projections of the mobility and sustainable transportation model.

For the presentation of the Guide, on behalf of REE, the attendees were: Antonio Calvo, the Manager of Institutional Relations and Sustainability Area and the Regional Delegate of the North Zone, Antonio González; while on the behalf of FEMP, the attendees were: the General Secretary, Carlos Daniel Casares, and the Head of the Sustainable Development Area, Gema Rodríguez.