The first of seven planned EV fast-charging stations under the MetroCHARGE project has commenced operations in Barcelona, powered exclusively by energy recovered from metro trains’ braking process and photovoltaic panels installed on metro station roofs.
Situated on the Rambla de Marina in L’Hospitalet, near the Line 1 Metro-stop Bellvitge, the new station features two 50 kW chargers, each with three connectors that can be used simultaneously. Depending on the connector, electric vehicles can charge for a maximum of 30 minutes to two hours, with a cost of 30 cents per kilowatt-hour. A fee of 0.399 euros per minute is charged if vehicles exceed the allowed charging duration.
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The standout innovation of these stations is their energy source. They harness energy from the braking of underground trains and utilize solar power from panels atop metro stations, making the chargers autonomous from the grid.
“The fact that the electric lines can operate with the metro’s surplus energy represents an important step forward for more sustainable and clean mobility in the Barcelona metropolis,” said Carlos Cordón, Vice President of Mobility, Transport, and Sustainability of the AMB. “It is great news for the decarbonised cities that we want, both present and future.”
All MetroCHARGE stations are integrated into the Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona (AMB) charging station network. Users must register via the AMB app to access the stations. Barcelona plans to install six more MetroCHARGE stations, including two additional locations in L’Hospitalet de Llobregat.
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