Barcelona bus electrification represents a monumental challenge for the city’s public transport system as TMB prepares to invest €49 million in upgrading its three main depots.
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The ambitious plan aims to completely decarbonise Barcelona’s entire bus fleet by 2035, requiring a sevenfold increase in electrical power capacity across the network.
Barcelona Bus Electrification Faces Power Supply Hurdles
The transition to electric buses presents significant infrastructure challenges.
Currently, TMB’s three depots in Zona Franca, El Triangle Ferroviari and Horta contain 188 chargers requiring 17 megawatts of power. However, by 2035, the system will need to support 850 chargers demanding 127 megawatts – equivalent to the entire metro system’s nighttime energy consumption.
Furthermore, the Horta depot faces particular difficulties due to its distance from existing metro stations. Unlike other depots that can draw power directly from nearby metro lines, Horta requires complex new connections. Consequently, works began this October to link the depot with Canyelles metro station one kilometre away.
The cable installation involves three phases along Passeig de la Vall d’Hebron, with completion expected by late November. This temporary solution will provide 2 megawatts of power, sufficient for initial electric bus deployments including 18 new Tourist Buses and five neighbourhood minibuses arriving later this year.
Long-Term Infrastructure Solutions Under Development
Recognising the temporary nature of the metro connection, TMB is planning more permanent solutions. The organisation will soon tender a project for a new €32 million electrical substation in Horta, drawing power directly from Collserola’s high-tension lines.
This substation, scheduled for completion between 2029 and 2032, will transform electricity for the depot’s charging points. Additionally, TMB plans to invest €16 million interconnecting all three depot substations, creating a resilient triangular network that ensures continuous power supply even if one substation fails.
The gradual approach to Barcelona bus electrification reflects both technological evolution and practical considerations. “We cannot install 400 chargers at once in Horta because those we buy today could become obsolete within five years,” explains Jacobo Kalitovics, TMB’s bus network director.
Meanwhile, the city continues to adapt its transport infrastructure, as evidenced by recent developments including the Barcelona Metro opening its ghost stations to mark its 100th anniversary. This broader transport evolution complements the bus electrification programme, creating a more integrated and sustainable public transport network.
The transition timeline sees El Triangle Ferroviari becoming fully electrified by 2026 with 176 chargers. Zona Franca will expand significantly, reaching 90,000 square metres by 2027 with 201 chargers planned by 2035. Horta expects to install 200 chargers by 2030, increasing to 315 by 2035.
This comprehensive Barcelona bus electrification strategy demonstrates the city’s commitment to sustainable transport. According to official documents from TMB, the plan anticipates future growth, potentially accommodating up to 1,331 electric buses requiring 177 megawatts of power beyond 2035.
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