The government of the Canary Islands has introduced a new €1.875 million funding programme to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles among professional passenger transport operators, including taxis, buses, and ride-hailing services such as Uber.
Announced by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Energy, the scheme offers subsidies to support the purchase of new electric or other zero-emission vehicles. The funding is targeted at companies and individuals holding licences for public or private passenger transport, including local public transport firms and taxi operators. Ride-hailing drivers are also eligible, with Uber currently operating across Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, and Fuerteventura.
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Minister Mariano Zapata said the initiative reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to sustainable mobility and its broader decarbonisation goals. “Electric mobility offers numerous environmental, economic and social benefits for our region and helps to drive the energy transition forward, enabling more people and businesses to join this change and take an active role in decarbonising the Canary Islands,” Zapata said.
The programme provides financial support for vehicles in categories M1 (up to nine seats), M2 (more than nine seats and a maximum authorised mass of up to five tonnes), and M3 (more than nine seats and exceeding five tonnes). It also covers the installation of charging stations and alternative fuel infrastructure that accompany the vehicles.
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Each beneficiary can receive up to €110,000, while local authorities and public enterprises can apply for up to €300,000. The ministry said the funding will also encourage the renewal of older fleets, aligning public transport with the islands’ climate objectives.
Applications for the subsidies can be submitted through the Government of the Canary Islands’ electronic platform between 20 October and 7 November. The regional administration expects the programme to contribute to a more accessible and environmentally responsible transport network across the archipelago.
