Barcelona City Council’s Government Commission has initially approved the rules that will govern calls for grants to buy electric bicycles. Residents registered in Barcelona and legal entities with their registered office in the city will be able to apply for support when they buy a pedal-assisted bicycle or a cargo bike. The council expects the scheme to fund 2,000 new urban bikes and 200 new cargo bikes a year over the next four years.
What the grant covers
There are two grant amounts:
| Type of bicycle | Grant |
|---|---|
| Urban electric bicycle | 400 euros |
| Cargo bike | 800 euros |
In both cases the grant cannot exceed 40% of the purchase price. Individuals can receive the grant only once, while legal entities can receive grants for a maximum of five bicycles.
Which bicycles qualify
The bicycle must be new and fitted with a bell, lights and reflectors. Its maximum power is 250W, assistance must cut off at 25 km/h and the motor must only be active while pedalling. Registration in the Biciregistro, the bicycle register of the Xarxa de Ciutats per la Bicicleta, is mandatory.
Timeline and budget
The rules are expected to receive final approval at the end of November and to come into force on 1 December 2026. Purchases made from that date will be eligible. The first call for applications will open during 2027, and up to 4 million euros will be allocated to the grants in the coming years.
Wider context
The subsidy adds to other recent steps in Barcelona’s transport. In September 2026, Transports Metropolitans de Barcelona (TMB) put its first fully electric neighbourhood bus into service on line 185, between Canyelles metro and Vall d’Hebron. TMB says its zero-emission buses will total 372, more than 30% of its fleet. In July 2026, the City Council and the Autoritat del Transport Metropolità approved the agreement for the second phase of the unified tram network, between Verdaguer and Francesc Macià, which will complete the connection of the Trambaix and Trambesòs along the Diagonal.