The Spanish government is once again accepting applications for a subsidy scheme aimed at helping rail freight operators deal with higher diesel prices. Interested parties can apply until 11 August and can receive 15,000 euros per diesel locomotive in their fleets.
This is the second time Spain is accepting applications for this scheme. The first one was launched last April with a total budget of 3.15 million euros. It is not clear whether the funds for the second call will come from there or if it has a brand new budget. However, the Spanish ministry of transport labelled it as “an additional line of direct aid intended to compensate for the persistent impact of energy costs on railway operating companies”.
50k limit or 70% coverage
To be eligible, interested parties “must hold a railway company license and own at least one diesel locomotive registered in the European Vehicle Register and in active service”, the Spanish ministry explained. EU regulations on this framework dictate that applicants will have two options: either get a maximum of 50,000 euros or cover 70% of the additional fuel costs. The latter choice would allow them to exceed the 50,000 euros limit, the ministry specified.