Spain to Ditch Diesel Trains: 4,953km Network Targeted

Spain plans to eliminate diesel rail on 4,953 km of track, investing billions in electrification and alternative technologies, boosting safety and sustainability.

January 26, 2026 11:39 am

🛑 Key Takeaways:

Spain has launched a formal public consultation to eliminate diesel traction from its 4,953 km of non-electrified railway.
The plan targets 42.5% of the national network, evaluating full electrification against hydrogen and battery-powered rolling stock.
The push for network modernization has intensified following a recent fatal high-speed collision, linking decarbonization efforts to broader safety and reliability imperatives.

MADRID – Spain’s Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility has initiated a public consultation to phase out all diesel-powered trains, a strategic goal that has gained critical urgency following a recent fatal high-speed train crash. The plan targets 4,953 kilometers of non-electrified track and forms a core part of the nation’s 2050 climate neutrality commitment. The consultation, open until October 2025, will assess the socio-economic case for either electrifying lines or deploying alternative technologies such as hydrogen and battery-hybrid trains.

Category	Specification / Detail
Target Network	4,953 km of non-electrified lines (42.5% of total Adif network)
Total Network Length	11,672 km (managed by Adif)
Key Stakeholders	Ministry of Transport, Directorate-General for the Railway Sector (DGSF), Adif, Renfe
Technologies Under Review	Catenary electrification, Battery-electric, Hydrogen fuel cell, Hybrid systems
Key Deadline	October 2025 (Public consultation closes)
Prototype Tested	FCH2RAIL Hydrogen Bi-mode (Renfe Civia platform)

Operational & Technical Details

The initiative is guided by a new Indicative Strategy from the Directorate-General for the Railway Sector (DGSF). The primary objective is to eliminate fossil fuel use on the 42.5% of the network currently dependent on diesel. While Spain’s high-speed network (3,976 km) is 94.2% electrified, conventional lines lag significantly.

The government is considering two parallel paths. The first is direct electrification of key routes. The second involves deploying innovative rolling stock on lines where catenary installation is not economically viable. To this end, a hydrogen-based bi-mode prototype train has already undergone testing. The unit, part of the European FCH2RAIL project, is a modified Renfe Civia train equipped with hydrogen fuel cells and batteries, allowing dual-mode operation. Successful tests have been conducted on the Zaragoza-Canfranc line and other tracks in Madrid and Galicia.

Market Impact Analysis

This national strategy signals a multi-billion euro investment cycle in both infrastructure and rolling stock. It creates a significant market opportunity for rail manufacturers like CAF, Talgo, Alstom, and Siemens, who are developing hydrogen and battery train platforms. The recent high-speed collision has shifted the political calculus, tying decarbonization funding to demonstrable improvements in overall network safety and resilience. Consequently, spending is likely to be bundled with upgrades to signaling and track infrastructure, not just propulsion systems. For operators, the move away from diesel offers long-term reduction in volatile fuel costs and carbon taxes, but requires substantial upfront capital expenditure and fleet renewal planning.

FAQ: Quick Facts

What is the main goal of this initiative?

The primary objective is to eliminate diesel traction from Spain’s 4,953 km of non-electrified railway lines to meet 2050 climate neutrality goals. This will be achieved through a combination of direct electrification and the adoption of alternative technologies like hydrogen and battery power.

When is the expected completion date?

The overall strategy is aligned with Spain’s national climate neutrality target for 2050. A key near-term deadline is October 2025, when the public consultation for evaluating the technical and economic solutions closes.