Barcelona Metro Uses Regenerative Braking to Power Stations, Charge EVs

Energy created when trains brake is harnessed to power the trains themselves, station infrastructure, and street-level electric car chargers.

1 minute read

December 19, 2024, 8:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Red and white Barcelona Metro train passing through station.

Jaume / Adobe Stock

The Barcelona subway is using power harnessed from braking train cars to power its stations, trains, and even other electric vehicles.

As Joseph Wilson explains in an Associated Press article, the MetroCharge regenerative braking project is in place at 16 stations. An electric motor captures energy that would otherwise be released as heat.

One innovation of the Barcelona system is its use of generated power locally, making it more efficient. The system estimates it will recover the 7.3 million Euros spent on the system in four years as it saves on energy costs. The regenerative system creates enough energy to fully power 28 of the 163 Barcelona metro stations.

Wednesday, December 18, 2024 in Associated Press

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

6 hours ago - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

3 hours ago - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

4 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

5 hours ago - Next City