Barcelona’s public transport operator, Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB), has received seven new electric buses from Spanish manufacturer Irizar e-mobility. The 12-metre Irizar ie models will integrate into the city’s existing fleet of electric buses, with TMB also launching a tender for additional zero-emission vehicles.
Equipped with a 185 kW electric motor, the new buses offer a range of up to 350 kilometres. They join the 79 Irizar electric buses already in operation in Barcelona. TMB has been a leader in electric public transport, having started trials with two Irizar ie electric buses in 2014. Today, the operator manages 196 battery-electric buses and around 46 hydrogen-powered vehicles, primarily from Solaris. More than 25% of its fleet is now emission-free.
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Looking ahead, TMB is seeking to expand its electric fleet further. The company has announced a tender for 19 electric articulated buses measuring 18 metres in length. “With this tender, we are reaffirming our commitment to a zero-emission bus fleet,” said TMB President Laia Bonet.
In addition to the tender, TMB has awarded contracts for 18 electric double-decker buses to Spanish manufacturer UNVI, which will serve the Barcelona Bus Turístic network. Chinese manufacturer Yutong has also secured an order for five electric minibuses for the city’s Bus del Barri service. Both vehicle types have undergone extensive testing, and deliveries are expected by the end of the year.
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Meanwhile, TMB is evaluating the eCitaro G fuel cell bus from Daimler Buses. The hydrogen-powered articulated bus, which uses Toyota’s fuel cell technology and a 392 kWh battery system, can travel up to 400 km per charge. However, TMB has not yet announced whether it will place an order for this model.