La Rioja has launched the VER Programme, an initiative launched by the regional government through the Economic Development Agency of La Rioja (ADER), aimed at rejuvenating the ageing local car fleet. This aid offers a final discount of €3,750 on the purchase of new vehicles, combining the public contribution with a direct discount from the dealer to increase road safety and reduce emissions.
The program was activated in October 2024 and had an initial endowment of 2 million euros from the Government and another million from the concession sector, reaching a total available of around 3 million to finance the discount.
Basic Program Requirements
Both individuals and companies and the self-employed can benefit. It is only necessary to hand in an old vehicle for scrapping, with a minimum age of 10 years, and acquire a new car that meets the criteria of low emissions or environmental sustainability. The benefit is applied directly at the dealership, with no hassle for the buyer.
What should you know about the €3,750 discount?
The total aid is made up of €2,420 contributed by ADER plus €1,330 discounted by dealers, so the buyer takes the car with an immediate discount of €3,750 on the final price.
The vehicle to be purchased can be new or zero-kilometre ("demo"), and must have a maximum price of €45,000 (excluding tax), increased to €60,000 (excluding tax) if it is an electric car with more than 30 km of range in electric mode. The emission limit is 150 g/km of CO₂ for eligible passenger cars (M1).
Results and impact
Since its launch, the program has managed to benefit 819 buyers and 1.3 million euros of the authorized budget of 2 million have been exhausted, which shows a high acceptance.
In addition, between October 2024 and April 2025, registrations in La Rioja grew by 29%, indicating that the programme has significantly boosted the activity of the local automotive sector.
Summary table of the VER Program
| Concept | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total discount | €3,750 (€2,420 ADER + €1,330 dealer) |
| Initial budget | ~€3 million (€2 million public + €1 sector million) |
| Eligible vehicles | New or demo cars ≤ €45,000 (≤ €60,000 electric) |
| Requirement for scrapping | Antique vehicle ≥ 10 years old |
| Maximum emissions | 150 g CO₂/km |
| Beneficiaries | Individuals, freelancers and companies |
| Impact | 819 grants delivered; +29% in registrations |