Barcelona targets tenfold expansion of network of electric vehicle charging points

The Barcelona Metropolitan Area (AMB) announced its plan to construct the "most extensive" public network of electric vehicle charging stations in southern Europe. 

The new plan, presented on Tuesday by AMB leaders, seeks to increase the number of charging stations from 10 to 102 by next year, a network that would allow for 367 vehicles to be charged at the same time.

Of the 102 stations, 63 are planned for fast charging, 11 for semi-fast charging and 28 would be solar-powered.

The overall cost is estimated to be €4 million, half of which will come from the European Regional Development Fund (Feder).

Additionally, as of next year, the charging services will require payment once the free promotion period ends. 

Authorities calculate the price per kWh at a fast recharge station to be €0.30, costing €4.50 for an average recharge of 15 kWh. With this amount of power, electric vehicles can travel approximately 100km.

Officials from AMB say the project will meet the "needs and demands" of Barcelona residents, who want "more infrastructure and charging points for electric vehicles." 

The AMB started the electric line network in 2015. The 10  fast charging stations currently in place distribute more than 137,000 kWh every month, with 7,400 monthly recharges, according to data from September 2023.

There's an average of 25 refills made at each point per day. These points are located in Badalona, Barberà del Vallès, Cornellà de Llobregat, Gavà, l'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Molins de Rei, Montcada i Reixac, el Prat de Llobregat, Sant Cugat del Vallès and Sant Joan Despí.