The Catalan government expects nine in 10 intercity buses to be low-emission by 2029, after 97% of road-transport concessions submitted plans to decarbonise their fleets and improve passenger information.

For commuters using Catalonia's 850 concession-operated bus routes, the plans cover a network run by 51 companies with about 1,500 vehicles. Operators whose plans are approved may extend their authorisations, delaying a new public tender for the regular routes they operate.

“The sector's involvement demonstrates its commitment to addressing future challenges and moving towards a more efficient, innovative and higher-quality public transport system,” Sílvia Paneque, Minister of Territory, Housing and Ecological Transition, said in the press release cited by El Periódico.

600 new decarbonised vehicles planned

Paneque said the response exceeded the government's initial expectation that 75% of concessions would take part. The target is for the fleet to receive 600 new decarbonised vehicles by 1 January 2029.

  • 160 are expected to be electric buses.
  • About 320 are expected to be hybrid buses.
  • The remaining vehicles are expected to use adapted diesel engines or other propulsion technologies.

In 2025, electric buses accounted for 1.1% of Catalonia's intercity fleet, or roughly one in every 100 vehicles, according to data reported by El Periódico. The newspaper said the proportion of fully electric buses could reach about 10% within three years, excluding hybrids.

Concession extensions tied to investment

The operators' plans involve investment of more than €200 million, funded by the companies, according to the report. If approved, operators can offset that spending through concession extensions of up to six years, depending on the investment's amortisation period.

Catalonia's intercity bus network recorded a historic 90 million journeys last year. Most existing concessions were due to expire in 2028 after earlier extensions, and the Generalitat, the Catalan government, approved a further extension of up to six years in April on condition that operators decarbonise fleets and improve services.

Reported by Source Text Link, Natàlia Vila, Glòria Ayuso, Meritxell M. Pauné, El Periódico Barcelona.