Adif and Adif Alta Velocidad have commissioned the first phase of their rollout of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, originally conceived as ‘ferrolineras’.
In total, 254 electrified parking bays are now operational across 21 passenger stations. These include Zaragoza Delicias, Sevilla Virgen del Rocío, Girona, Pamplona, Santander, Toledo and Huelva, along with additional sites in Galicia, Castile and León, Navarre and Andalusia.
The charging points, accessible to both rail users and the general public, can be operated via Repsol’s Waylet app or by bank card using on-site payment terminals. Charger typologies vary depending on the characteristics of each car park.
This initial phase forms part of a wider scheme to install around 900 charging points at more than 60 stations across the Adif and Adif AV network, with progressive deployment scheduled through 2026 and 2027. Total investment exceeds €18.2 million, covering design, supply, construction, operation and maintenance over a two-year period.
The initiative sits within Adif’s 2018–2030 Climate Action Plan, under the Ecomilla first- and last-mile mobility programme, and is backed by European funding via the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (NextGenerationEU).
Ferrolineras unveiled in 2010
The ferrolinera concept was first made public in 2010 and formally presented in 2011 by former Minister of Public Works José Blanco. The first installation entered service in April 2012 at Málaga–María Zambrano station.
In its original configuration, energy used to charge vehicles was sourced from trains’ regenerative braking and stored in flywheels until required. To enhance system performance, a revised development programme was announced in July that year to explore more efficient storage solutions.
However, the project was shelved under Mariano Rajoy’s government, and it was not until November 2020 that plans were revived with the announcement of 400 charging points. The first installation contract was tendered in February 2023, enabling the ferrolineras to enter operational service 15 years after their initial presentation.