E-Buses Go Regional
Transitioning Towards Interurban Electric Buses
Catalonia is accelerating its shift to electric buses across regional and suburban routes, tackling climate change while enhancing commuter services. With new electric fleets, innovative charging infrastructure, and strategic government support, the region aims to set a benchmark in sustainable public transport, reducing emissions and improving air quality.
The Catalan regional bus network predominantly operates with diesel vehicles. While urban bus networks in cities such as Barcelona began transitioning towards electric buses several years ago, this shift has been slower for regional buses due to limited battery range, making electric buses impractical for longer distances.
However, recent developments in electric bus technology have made them suitable for certain interurban services, prompting bus operators to consider their integration. To accommodate the range of regional needs, the Government of Catalonia has implemented a series of tailored solutions.
Electric Bus Feeders to Train Stations
Generalitat de Catalunya
Two years ago, the Government of Catalonia, together with its railway company FGC (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya), initiated a programme involving four feeder bus routes to the FGC rail stations, aiming to ensure a fully electric journey from bus to final destination.
On the Can Sant Joan line, operated by Marfina Bus, four 18-metre articulated electric buses have replaced the previous diesel vehicles, serving an annual ridership of approximately 436,000 trips. An ultra-fast charging station has been installed at the Sant Joan station to supplement the nightly battery charging in the Marfina Bus’ depot.
On the Olesa de Montserrat – Esparreguera line, which serves an estimated 44,000 trips per year, two 12-metre electric buses now replace the former diesel vehicles. These buses are equipped with batteries charged overnight at the operator’s depot.
The Bellaterra – Parc de l'Alba line, with an annual demand of 24,000 trips, promotes sustainable commuting for workers in this scientific and technological park. The new electric 8-metre bus on this route connects the Ferrocarrils station with Parc de l'Alba, in Cerdanyola del Vallès and is charged overnight in the operator’s depot.
Finally, the Sant Vicenç dels Horts – Torrelles de Llobregat line, serving 26,700 annual trips (16,200 of which connect with the railway), has introduced a 12-metre electric bus operated by Soler i Sauret, also charged at night.
Transitioning to an electric fleet is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 800 metric tonnes per year—equivalent to the carbon absorption of 183,000 trees over the same period. This initiative aligns with the government's commitment to decarbonising mobility as an essential factor in the battle against climate change—an action that also contributes to the improvement of air quality and the reduction of noise pollution.
Demand-responsive Trasport with electric buses
Generalitat de Catalunya
To accelerate the decarbonisation process, the Government of Catalonia has provided subsidies to transport operators to support vehicle electrification and the installation of charging infrastructure at depots.
One such subsidy enabled the conversion of a demand-res
ponsive and digitised transport service to electric operation. This route connects Olot, the county capital, with several small villages in la Vall d’en Bas. A minivan on this route was replaced with a 10-seat electric microbus in 2023, which operates on a nightly charging cycle and has sufficient range for uninterrupted service. In 2023, this service recorded 5,363 trips.
Suburban Electric Bus Lines
A similar transition has occurred on suburban line 330, linking Mollet del Vallès (population 51,000) and Granollers (population 63,000) across a distance of 13 km. Previously serviced by standard diesel vehicles, this line switched to electric vehicles with nightly charging in February 2023. The new buses, powered by two 150 kW engines and equipped with 12 lithium ferro-phosphate (LFP) battery packs, boasts a 422 kWh energy capacity and an operational range of approximately 300 km, with slight variations depending on specific route demands.
The electrification of this line marks an improvement in fleet sustainability, as well as a breakthrough in charging infrastructure. The operator, Sagalés, has installed three 150 kW chargers capable of fully charging a bus from 0 to 100% in just three hours, ensuring an efficient service and a quick turnaround. Additionally, a 1,000 kVA transformer has been installed, with the potential to double capacity and add more chargers as needed. Channels for nine additional chargers have already been set up, and with the Smart Charging Management System, up to 20 electric buses can be connected simultaneously.
Solar panels at Sagalés headquarters contribute an energy production capacity of 20 kW, covering 70% of daily energy requirements, with the remaining 30% sourced from certified green energy providers.
With the new buses in operation, service frequency was improved from an irregular 45-60-minute interval to a regular 30-minute frequency. As a result, the demand rose significantly, with 229,307 passengers recorded by mid-2024, already surpassing the total demand of 2023.
Challenges
These new measures and actions, while significant, also come with several challenges. The variety of operators across Catalonia means each must install new infrastructure to support electric buses, which entails costs and logistical planning. Training for maintenance staff on these new electric systems is essential, given the distinct differences from diesel vehicles. Furthermore, the need for additional staff may increase, thereby amplifying the investment required.
Catalonia’s commitment to electrifying its regional and suburban bus networks represents a forward-thinking approach to sustainable public transport. By investing in advanced electric bus technology, supporting infrastructure, and targeted subsidies, the Government of Catalonia is creating a foundation for a cleaner, more efficient transit system. This ongoing transition not only contributes to the region’s decarbonisation goals but also sets a benchmark for other regions aiming to tackle the challenges of climate change. As technology continues to evolve and more operators adopt electric vehicles, Catalonia is well-positioned to lead the way towards a future of sustainable, low-emission public transport.
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About the authors:
Cristina Pou Fonollà, Head of Road Public Transport, Mobility, and Transport, Government of Catalonia. Pou Fonollà, a civil engineer with advanced degrees in mobility planning, e-logistics, and EU studies, has 25 years of experience in transport and mobility across public and international sectors. Formerly a lecturer on smart mobility at Fundació Politècnica de Catalunya, she now heads Road Public Transport at Catalonia’s General Directorate of Transport and Mobility.
Albert Guillaumes Marcer, Senior Engineer, Road Public Transport Service, Government of Catalonia. Guillaumes Marcer is a civil engineer holding a Master's in Supply Chain, Transport, and Mobility. He works as an Engineer in the Road Public Transport Service of the Government of Catalonia, where his responsibilities revolve around planning improvements for the regional bus network, including Demand-responsive Transport services.
Oriol Font, Junior Consultant, Mobility and Transport Direction, Government of Catalonia. Font works as a consultant in the Road Public Transport Service of the Government of Catalonia. His responsibilities focus on providing support planning improvements for the regional bus network, including Demand-responsive Transport services.
Generalitat de Catalunya