EMT Palma receives 23 BYD – Castrosua e-buses as part of 113-vehicle zero-emission fleet renewal plan

EMT Palma has presented 23 BYD – Castrosua battery-electric buses as part of a broader fleet renewal programme that foresees the introduction of up to 113 zero-emission buses.

The new 12-metre buses belong to the model BYD Castrosua Nelec that see the Spanish bodybuilder acting as partner of the Chinese manufacturer (that provides the chassis), following a deal landed in 2022.

The vehicles were officially presented on 21 May by Palma mayor Jaime Martínez Llabrés together with local and regional transport representatives. The vehicles are gradually entering service on several urban routes operated by EMT Palma.

The framework agreement launched by EMT Palma includes up to 113 electric urban buses with a total planned investment exceeding €98 million. A further 34 electric buses awarded to Daimler Mercedes are expected to start arriving from June.

EMT Palma deploys new BYD electric buses

The 23 electric buses have been supplied by BYD Motores Iberia at a unit cost of €573,000, the municipality states. Nine vehicles are already ready to enter operation following registration and onboard system installation procedures.

Initially, the buses will operate on lines 1, 6, 10, 14, 16, 20, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 39 and 40, although route allocation may later change according to operational requirements and the progressive integration of the electric fleet.

The procurement is financed through the Balearic Islands Energy Transition Investment Plan (PITEIB), within the framework of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan-NextGenerationEU and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), together with contributions from the sustainable tourism tax, the City of Palma and EMT’s own funds.

According to figures released by the municipality, more than 36 per cent of EMT Palma’s buses are currently over 15 years old.

Charging infrastructure and new ECO-EMT operations centre

Alongside vehicle procurement, EMT Palma is expanding charging infrastructure at its depots. The company has already awarded a contract for the installation of 40 additional charging points at existing facilities with an investment of €4.5 million. Works are expected to start before the end of May.

At present EMT Palma operates 12 charging points, with another 10 expected to be added next month.

The fleet renewal programme is also linked to the future ECO-EMT operations centre currently in the design phase. The new depot is planned to include 108 charging points, specialized maintenance areas, photovoltaic systems, pantograph charging equipment, offices and upgraded staff facilities. The planned investment for the project is close to €32 million.

EMT Palma currently operates from two facilities, the existing depot at La Tàpia and the Son Rossinyol site, enabling the gradual integration of new electric vehicles into operations.