Spanish Congress unexpectedly approves Sustainable Mobility Law
Spain's Congress approved the Sustainable Mobility Law on Wednesday following a surprise deal with Podemos on Barcelona's El Prat airport. The legislation brings major changes to air, rail, and road transport, delaying key infrastructure expansions until 2031. The Spanish Association of Consumers denounces the agreement as an ideological assault on air transport.
The Sustainable Mobility Law's approval in Congress on Wednesday came via a surprise agreement with Podemos, which abstained from voting in exchange for halting works at Barcelona's El Prat airport, as clarified by Transport Minister Óscar Puente. This delays expansions of Valencia's port and El Prat until at least 2031.
Key changes include promoting reductions in domestic flights on routes with rail alternatives under two and a half hours, excluding international connections. The Spanish Association of Consumers opposes this, citing 'grave harm,' particularly given rail delays: four in ten trains were late this summer, with Minister Puente forecasting more issues over the next two years.
For vehicles, the government must submit a study within 12 months to update DGT environmental labels, incorporating CO2 emissions and technological advances. This will involve multiple ministries and consultations with autonomous communities. In three months, a National Plan for Vehicle Fleet Renewal will incentivize zero- or low-emission vehicles, akin to the current Moves III.
Companies with over 200 employees must adopt sustainable mobility plans within two years, encouraging cycling, public transport, teleworking, and electric vehicles, without mandating private car sharing. The Association notes administrative barriers hinder EV charging infrastructure.
Further provisions call for a study to revive European night trains, discontinued in 2020, and 20% bus fare rebates with travel time cuts up to three hours. A 'sandbox' for innovations and the National Sustainable Mobility System are also established.