Bernardo Jordano de la Torre confirms exclusively to Mobility Portal España that they are finalising the terms for a public contract to install 100 electric vehicle charging points.
According to the Deputy Mayor for Mobility, Inclusion, and Accessibility at Córdoba City Council, this project aims not only to expand the city’s infrastructure but also to surpass what is currently offered by private operators.
When? The contract is expected to be presented before the end of September.
“It should be in the tendering process before the end of October and awarded before the end of the year,” he anticipates.
He emphasises: “We aim to double and surpass the current private sector offer.”
The plan focuses on creating charging points in public locations.
The strategy behind this tender falls within a public concession model, where the awarded company will be responsible for the installation and operation of the charging points in exchange for a fee for the use of public space.
This model has already been implemented in cities such as Seville, Zaragoza, and Bilbao and has proven to be an efficient solution for expanding charging infrastructure without the need for large direct public investments.
“In the end, it will be the end-user who pays for the service based on the consumption made at each ‘refuelling’,” he explains.
Payment will be made according to market conditions.
In this way, the City Council will not impose price limits; instead, the price will be determined by the conditions set by the industry, with the aim of making it “interesting and attractive for all companies.”
“There will likely be three lots for those 100 points, and they will be distributed across the map,” the Deputy Mayor notes.
What features should the chargers have?
A key aspect of the project is the flexibility in the power of the charging points, allowing for upgrades depending on demand and technological advancements.
The plan is to start with semi-fast chargers of 22 kilowatts (kW), which they hope to have operational within two or three months.
According to Jordano de la Torre, this is because they are aware of the time required to activate an ultra-fast charging device, which ranges between “24 and 26 months.“
“We are taking note of what companies in the sector are telling us,” he explains.
With this tender, the City Council not only aims to meet the needs of residents but also to attract tourists with zero and low-emission vehicles.
The strategic location of the charging points is designed to facilitate visitors’ mobility and encourage them to stay in the city while charging their cars.
“We are interested in having most of the points be semi-fast, with an estimated charging time of between one hour and one and a half hours, so that users have time to stroll around the city centre,” he says.
Meanwhile, the ultra-fast chargers will be located at Córdoba’s entrances, with a maximum stop time of 30 minutes.
This is because the city is at a strategic crossroads that is significant for industry, logistics, tourism, and commerce.
The first chargers are expected to be operational by spring 2025.
How is electromobility progressing in Córdoba?
This tender is just one part of the City Council’s strategy to promote sustainable mobility in the city.
Córdoba currently has approximately 80 charging points on private land, including hotel and shopping centre car parks, and aims to double this offering with new chargers in public areas.
“What we are doing is making it accessible to everyone, so they don’t have to consume or access a private facility,” explains Jordano de la Torre.
In this regard, Córdoba is one of the first Spanish cities to comply with the implementation of the Low Emission Zone (ZBE).
This ZBE, operational since February 2023, only allows access to vehicles with Zero or Eco environmental labels.
“This coincides with the restricted circulation areas,” says the councillor, who also emphasises the importance of maintaining this protected area, as the historic centre is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
But that’s not all.
Córdoba is also exploring technologies to improve air quality, including the use of microalgae to treat pollution in strategic areas of the city.
These ponds are installed on public roads at critical points and have the capacity to perform photosynthesis equivalent to that of 400 or 500 trees.
“I estimate that we will see some of these devices installed before the end of the year,” he assures.
Additionally, they are implementing more air quality monitoring points, and in the last six months, they have added five new ones, bringing the total to nine.
In terms of public transport, Córdoba is also moving towards a more sustainable fleet.
Although the city will continue to use hybrid gas buses, significant efforts have been made to encourage the adoption of low-emission vehicles, especially in the taxi sector.
Thanks to the granting of subsidies, 70% (between 450 and 460 units) of the fleet is now emission-free.
Finally, they are collaborating with Heineken on last-mile distribution projects within the ZBE, using light electric vehicles capable of transporting up to eight barrels of beer.
“We will replicate this model and provide all the necessary services to encourage companies to adopt this solution, with the goal of removing heavy vehicles from the historic centre,” he highlights.
Read more: Madrid launches new tender! Here’s the offer for a 26-electric vehicle charging station
