Barcelona’s iconic open-top tourist buses are turning a new, quieter page this week as the first 100% electric double-deckers begin circulating on the city’s streets. Public transport operator Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) has received the first ten units of a new zero-emission fleet, with three of the vehicles entering service immediately.

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The move marks a significant step in the decarbonisation of the popular Barcelona Bus Turístic service, a key feature of the city’s tourism landscape. TMB will progressively roll out the remaining vehicles from this initial delivery, aiming to have the full new fleet operational for the peak summer season. They will replace older diesel models that are reaching the end of their service life.

A Greener Tour of the City

The new buses are part of a major fleet renewal project tendered in July 2024. The total order comprises 23 electric vehicles: 18 double-deckers and five smaller minibuses. The €19.2 million acquisition of these vehicles is expected to reduce annual emissions by 1,285 tonnes of CO₂ and 7 tonnes of NOx, according to TMB figures.

The initiative is a core component of the long-term strategy of the Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona (AMB), which owns the tourist bus service, to eventually electrify the entire 65-vehicle fleet. It also aligns with the city’s broader efforts to improve public transport, which include plans for new bus hubs to handle a record surge in passengers.

In a statement, TMB President Laia Bonet emphasised the company’s commitment to sustainability across all its services. “TMB works daily on the constant renewal of its fleet to make it more sustainable, and this doesn’t just apply to regular line vehicles,” she said. “We are going further, and it also applies to the Barcelona Bus Turístic service.”

State-of-the-Art Technology

Manufactured by the Galicia-based company UNVI, the new model is the 12.3-metre-long ‘i23’. A 300 kW CeTrax motor and a 362 kWh lithium battery pack power the vehicles, offering an impressive autonomy of around 16 hours on a single overnight charge at the Horta depot.

TMB has upgraded passenger comfort with air conditioning, exterior LED lighting, and both Type-A and Type-C USB charging ports at every seat. Digital screens on both decks will display information on upcoming stops and service updates, similar to those found on TMB’s regular bus network.

Safety is also a key focus. The buses feature a comprehensive package of modern safety systems, compliant with the new European General Safety Regulation (GSR II). These features include:

  • Reverse cameras and a blind spot information system.
  • An obstacle and pedestrian detector.
  • An intelligent speed assistant to help drivers adhere to limits.
  • Digital mirrors which include a sensor to warn of potential collisions with tree branches, a common hazard on urban sightseeing routes.

Driving Towards a Sustainable Future

The introduction of these electric buses comes as Barcelona continues to refine its tourism model, a topic brought into focus by the recent hike in the city’s tourist tax. A cleaner, quieter sightseeing experience is crucial for creating a more sustainable urban environment for both visitors and residents.

While the double-decker fleet is on a clear path to electrification, TMB has noted challenges with its smaller ‘Bus de Barri’ minibus fleet. According to reports in El Periódico, the small size of these vehicles makes it difficult to install batteries with sufficient range for a full day’s service. TMB is therefore exploring other technologies, including synthetic fuels, for that segment of its fleet.

With these 18 new tourist buses, TMB’s total electric bus fleet will grow to 221 vehicles, in addition to 46 hydrogen-powered buses, cementing its position as a leader in sustainable public transport in Spain.