Urgent measures to boost electric vehicle charging, self-consumption and lower bills

Automatic summary, not yet reviewed

1. Electric vehicle charging points may now be installed on land next to highways, as long as the installations are easily removable and do not compromise road safety.
2. Gas stations on state highway concessions must install charging points: at least 150 kW if they sold 10 million liters or more of gasoline and diesel A in 2019, and at least 50 kW if they sold between 5 and 10 million, with deadlines of 14 and 20 months.
3. Installing a charging point no longer requires a prior works, operating or activity license, except in buildings listed as cultural heritage. A simple responsible declaration is enough, and it allows installation to start the day it is filed.
4. Before January 1, 2023, parking areas in non-residential buildings and standalone parking lots with more than 20 spaces must have charging stations: one for every 40 spaces in general, and one for every 20 in buildings owned by the state administration.
5. Collective self-consumption through the grid is made easier when generation and consumers are less than 500 meters apart, regardless of voltage level, and installations with surplus self-consumption under 100 kW are exempt from posting financial guarantees.
6. New violations are created for electricity distributors and suppliers: unjustified delays or obstacles in self-consumption procedures and charging point connections can be minor, serious or very serious offenses depending on the harm. It is also a serious offense for gas stations to fail to install mandatory charging points (Disposición final primera).
7. Measures to lower bills are extended: the reduced 10% VAT on electricity and the 0.5% rate of the Special Electricity Tax until April 30, 2022, the suspension of the tax on the value of electricity production during the first quarter of 2022, and the electricity social bonus discounts until April 30, 2022.
8. Intermediate deadlines (environmental impact statement and prior and construction authorizations) for renewable plants are extended by nine months, permit holders may voluntarily give up grid access and connection permits and get their guarantees back, and the SEPE public employment service is authorized to fill 926 new positions.

Who it affects

• People who want to install or use electric vehicle charging points: Fewer procedures: a responsible declaration is enough, and there will be more charging points on highways, at gas stations and in parking lots.
• Gas stations and state highway concession holders: They must install charging points within set deadlines, and failure to do so is a serious offense.
• People with self-consumption or who want to install it: Easier collective self-consumption through the grid, fewer guarantees to post, and companies that delay procedures can be sanctioned.
• Electricity and gas consumers: Tax cuts on electricity bills are extended, and industrial companies get more flexible natural gas contracts.
• Renewable plant developers and SEPE staff: Developers get nine extra months for their projects or can give up their permits; the SEPE fills 926 new positions.

Words worth knowing

Declaración responsable (responsible declaration)

A document filed with the administration stating that you meet the rules. It lets you start the activity right away, without waiting for a license.

Autoconsumo (self-consumption)

Using electricity you generate yourself, for example with solar panels, either on site or through the grid.

Bono social (social bonus)

A discount on the electricity bill for households in a vulnerable situation.

Permiso de acceso y conexión (grid access and connection permit)

Authorization to connect a power generation plant to the electricity grid.

Bien de interés cultural (cultural heritage listing)

The highest protection category for buildings or places with historic or artistic value.

It summarizes the law as published in the BOE. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries