Catalonia intercity bus electrification faces a dramatic transformation challenge with only 1% of vehicles currently electric.
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According to data from the Department of Territory, Housing and Ecological Transition, just one in every 100 intercity buses across Catalonia’s extensive network operates with electric power. This stark reality emerges as the region prepares for major concession renewals in 2028 that will reshape public road transport.
Catalonia Intercity Bus Electrification Targets Major Overhaul
The Generalitat is now designing a new model focused on minimal environmental and economic costs. Consequently, future tenders will include progressive electrification requirements to advance decarbonisation goals. The current framework, based on 1987 legislation, has become obsolete against modern territorial, social and technological changes.
Transport represents Catalonia’s primary pollution source, accounting for 34% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, the regional government’s carbon budget commits to reducing emissions by 31% within five years compared to 1990 levels. Specifically, transport emissions must decrease by 19% by 2030.
The upcoming concession competition for interurban bus services presents a crucial opportunity for fleet transformation. Meanwhile, the contrast with urban transport progress remains striking. Barcelona’s TMB-managed urban buses already achieve 25% zero-emission operation, with most being electric vehicles supplemented by approximately 50 green hydrogen buses.
The Metropolitan Area of Barcelona will assume responsibility for approximately 50 interurban lines currently managed by the Generalitat. Furthermore, the organisation is working on new tenders while pushing current fleet electrification. Their current fleet of 2,103 buses will include 397 electric vehicles (18.9%) by December, with plans to incorporate 422 additional electric buses by 2028.
However, one major challenge involves creating sufficient charging points to ensure electromobility. This aspect must be integrated into conversion processes, where public administrations will play an essential role. The Generalitat has also tendered legal-technical support services to develop new passenger road transport legislation harmonised with European standards.
The new concession map must define line routes, service types, frequencies and schedules based on efficiency and sustainability criteria. Additionally, the competition will establish specifications for the future fleet, requiring operators to maintain vehicles appropriate for each service type, whether serving major corridors or small on-demand lines.
This transformation occurs against rising demand, with interurban bus usage increasing 17% in just four years to reach 82.6 million annual passengers. The Department of Territory collaborates with the Metropolitan Transport Authority on defining the most efficient vehicle types for different scenarios within the fleet decarbonisation framework facing the service in coming years.
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