The government's 10-million-euro subsidy program for electric vehicle purchases, which opened on Thursday, was fully subscribed within a few hours. Minister for the Environment and Energy Maria da Graça Carvalho confirmed that no further schemes will be launched this year, citing the ongoing conflict in the Middle East as a factor in the decision.
Electric vehicle subsidy scheme exhausted in hours
Friday, 12 June 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
- Minister of Environment and Energy (2024–present)
- Party: Social Democratic Party (PSD), Partido Social Democrata
- Background: Mechanical engineer, academic, former MEP
Maria da Graça Carvalho (born 1955) is a Portuguese engineer and politician serving as Minister of Environment and Energy in the AD government. She holds a PhD in mechanical engineering and had a distinguished academic career at Instituto Superior Técnico, specializing in energy systems and building physics.
She served as a Member of the European Parliament (2009–2024), where she focused on research policy, innovation funding (Horizon 2020/Europe), and energy policy. Before entering politics, she was a scientific advisor to European Commission President José Manuel Barroso.
As Environment Minister, she oversees Portugal's energy transition, renewable energy expansion, water resources management, climate adaptation, and environmental regulation — portfolios that are central to issues like wildfire prevention, coastal erosion, and meeting EU climate targets.
4 sources
- Electric vehicle subsidy scheme “fully subscribed” within hoursportugalresident.com ·
- Electric vehicle purchase subsidy scheme closesobservador.pt ·
- Funding to support the purchase of electric cars sold out "in a few hours"publico.pt ·
- Support scheme for electric car purchases closed 'in a few hours'rtp.pt ·
