Spain has launched a major push to replace diesel trains with greener alternatives, with the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility beginning a data-gathering campaign that will run until September 2025.
The findings will feed into a new electrification and alternative traction strategy, set to be finalised by the end of 2026, according to Railway Supply.
Hydrogen and battery trains under review
The ministry is collecting technical and economic data on hydrogen-powered and battery-operated trains to see if they could replace diesel on key secondary routes. These include:
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Avila — Salamanca
Torralba — Soria
Huesca — Canfranc
Caceres — Valencia de Alcantara
Zafra — Huelva
Merida — Los Rosales
These lines connect smaller cities and rural regions, where diesel remains the only option for mobility.
Balancing costs and climate goals
Spain’s national infrastructure operator Adif oversees an 11,672 km rail network, but only 57.5 per cent is electrified. Authorities face a difficult choice:
Full electrification is the most reliable long-term option, with lower operational costs and efficiency gains.
Hydrogen and battery trains promise reduced emissions but require new infrastructure and heavy investment.
The ministry’s study will compare these options in detail before deciding where to prioritise funding.
Spain’s railway future
The strategy is part of Spain’s commitment to the European Commission’s climate goals, which require member states to cut transport emissions and modernise infrastructure. The government insists the plan will help bring cleaner, faster, and more reliable travel to regions currently reliant on diesel.
By the end of 2026, Spain is expected to reveal whether it will electrify more of its network or invest heavily in hydrogen and battery technology as the country’s rail backbone for the future.
With climate targets looming, should Spain prioritise long-term electrification or take a gamble on hydrogen and battery trains?
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