Spain’s Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, through the Directorate General for the Railway Sector, has launched a new initiative to explore viable alternatives to diesel traction on non-electrified sections of the national rail network
As part of this effort, the ministry has organised an information session to engage public and private railway operators in a preliminary market consultation that will remain open until 30 September. The consultation aims to gather input from across the railway sector to assess technological solutions that could replace diesel trains with cleaner, more sustainable alternatives.
This initiative reflects Spain’s strategic push to modernise its railway system in alignment with European environmental goals and national climate commitments. The consultation is being conducted through a notice published on the Public Sector Procurement Platform and is open to a wide range of stakeholders in the rail industry. Operators, manufacturers, and innovators are encouraged to provide insights into feasible technologies that could be applied to key non-electrified lines of general interest (RFIG).
Strategic importance for Spain’s rail decarbonisation goals
The focus of this consultation extends beyond simple infrastructure upgrades—it is a foundational step in rethinking how rail transport can operate efficiently and sustainably on lines where electrification is either economically unfeasible or technically challenging. Among the routes under review are critical regional corridors such as Ávila–Salamanca, Huesca–Canfranc, and Zafra–Huelva, which serve both passenger and freight traffic. These lines play a key role in connecting rural and underserved regions, and modernising them with greener traction technologies will improve mobility without sacrificing environmental performance.
Spain currently ranks 9th among EU countries for the share of its railway network that is electrified, with 65% of the network electrified as of 2022, according to the Ninth Monitoring Report on the Development of the Rail Market (RMMS), published by the European Commission in July 2025. While this is a respectable position, it also highlights the remaining 35% of the network where diesel traction remains the default. Addressing this gap is essential if Spain is to meet its decarbonisation targets under the EU Green Deal and national climate strategy.
The initiative comes at a time when hydrogen, battery-electric, and hybrid propulsion systems are gaining traction as realistic options for replacing diesel-powered rolling stock on non-electrified lines. European manufacturers have already begun rolling out these technologies, with successful pilot projects in countries such as Germany, France, and the Netherlands. Spain is now signalling its intent to join this wave of innovation by ensuring that its procurement and planning processes are well-informed and collaborative. The consultation not only seeks technical input but also aims to foster partnerships between operators and technology providers.
In addition to improving environmental outcomes, transitioning to alternatives to diesel traction could generate long-term economic benefits. Reduced dependence on fossil fuels will shield the rail sector from price volatility and contribute to lower operating costs. Furthermore, investing in cleaner technologies could stimulate Spain’s domestic rail industry by opening up new opportunities for research, development, and production. This aligns with the government’s broader objective of promoting green industrial growth as part of its National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP).
Lastly, this approach underscores the Ministry’s commitment to inclusive and transparent policy-making. By inviting participation from across the rail ecosystem—including smaller operators and new market entrants—Spain is laying the groundwork for a resilient, diversified, and future-proof transport system. The results of this consultation will inform socio-economic studies evaluating whether full electrification or deployment of alternative technologies offers the best return on investment for each individual line. The final outcomes are expected to shape Spain’s rail strategy well into the next decade
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