EMT Madrid awards contracts for 120 battery-electric buses
POLIS member Madrid is continuing the electrification of its public transport system with a new order for 120 e-buses. The procurement includes the city's first articulated battery-electric buses and supports EMT Madrid's ambition to increase the share of zero-emission vehicles to more than a quarter of its fleet by 2027.
Madrid's municipal transport operator, EMT Madrid, has awarded contracts for the supply of 120 battery-electric buses, taking another step in the city's transition towards a fully zero-emission bus fleet. The procurement covers 90 standard 12-metre buses and 30 articulated 18-metre buses, with deliveries scheduled between 2026 and the first half of 2027.
The standard buses will be supplied by Irizar e-mobility and Daimler Buses, while Solaris Bus & Coach has been selected to deliver the 30 articulated Solaris Urbino 18 electric buses. Worth up to €79.35 million excluding VAT, the procurement follows a tender launched by EMT Madrid at the end of 2025.
Irizar i2e electric bus operated by EMT Madrid — Credit: Wikimedia Commons
First articulated electric buses for Madrid
A key milestone of the procurement is the introduction of articulated battery-electric buses into EMT Madrid's fleet for the first time. The 18-metre vehicles are expected to provide additional capacity on some of the city's busiest corridors while supporting Madrid's efforts to reduce emissions from public transport.
The tender also included demanding technical requirements. The 12-metre buses must offer a minimum operating range of 400 km on a single charge, while the articulated vehicles are required to achieve at least 320 km. Manufacturers are also expected to provide ten-year warranties for batteries and vehicle structures, reflecting EMT's emphasis on lifecycle performance and long-term operational reliability.
Supporting Madrid's fleet electrification strategy
The latest order will expand a fleet that already comprises 452 battery-electric buses. Once the new vehicles enter service, electric buses are expected to account for more than 25% of EMT Madrid's fleet of around 2,000 vehicles, further advancing the city's decarbonisation strategy.
Madrid has steadily accelerated its transition towards cleaner public transport in recent years. The city eliminated diesel buses from its municipal fleet in 2022 and has continued investing in electric buses, charging infrastructure, and zero-emission depots. Alongside the vehicle procurement, EMT Madrid is also expanding charging capacity, including the installation of 114 new charging points at its Sanchinarro depot as part of a broader €92 million investment programme.
The procurement reflects a broader trend across European cities, where public transport operators are increasingly combining large-scale electric bus purchases with investments in charging infrastructure and depot upgrades.
