Micromobility sector in Catalonia

Barcelona is at the forefront of testing new vehicles in the micromobility sector, a key factor toward a more sustainable society.

Download our report about the micromobility sector in Catalonia

Catalonia and Barcelona, a micromobility hotspot in Europe.

In Catalonia, 119 companies working in the micromobility sector showed a collective turnover of over 255 million euros in 2022. Furthermore, this year, Catalan micromobility sector companies have received 222 million euros in investment, carried out 21 investment projects, and created 372 jobs.

Regarding where the companies are operating within Catalonia, the report highlights the significant percentage of companies established in the province of Barcelona, representing 88% of the total.

Micromobility, a strategic priority for urban development

The micromobility industry is essential for reducing the environmental impact of urban transport in the cities. The European Union is promoting the growth of this sector through aid and funding platforms such as Next Generation funds, the Horizon Europe program, and the EIT Urban Mobility initiative. The industry comprises lightweight and sustainable means of transport with either low-power electric motors or none at all.

Catalonia covers the entire range of the micromobility industry

Almost 40% of these 119 Catalan companies manufacture vehicles considered micromobility, such as bicycles and tricycles (manual and electric), electric motorcycles, scooters, or skateboards.

Catalan companies not only manufacture vehicles but also provide vehicle rental services (29%), develop shared mobility services (12%), manufacture components and chargers (9%), develop apps (7%), and offer engineering services (5%).

Barcelona is a testing ground for the future

The Barcelona City Council estimates that by 2024, the use of micromobility vehicles in the city will increase by some 31%, compared with an increase of just 0.5% in private vehicles and 2.2% in public transport.

Given the importance of micromobility to reduce the ecological footprint in urban and interurban areas, the Barcelona City Council is also allowing specific areas of the city to be testing areas for companies undergoing and researching innovative transport solutions, as well as offering technical assessment and resources such as sensors, systems, and databases.

Search our database to find Catalan companies working in the Micromobility sector.

119 companies
€225M turnover
1,313 employees

“Barcelona is definitely the place to develop a light electric mobility project”

Marc Camarasa, COO of Silence

Share quote:

A fully committed startup ecosystem

This interest in micromobility has logically had significant repercussions in the startup ecosystem. A Catalan success story is the local unicorn Wallbox, which creates advanced electric vehicle charging and energy management systems.

Cooltra and Yego are two other startups working in innovative sharing and renting systems of two-wheel vehicles to make cities more sustainable and efficient. And as regards vehicle manufacturing, another noteworthy Catalan startup is Silence, which uses proprietary tech to develop electric scooters and battery packs.

On the global micromobility map

Catalonia is also a great place to develop micromobility projects for international investors. For example, Volkswagen Group’s tech company SEAT: CODE, focusing on micromobility and urban mobility, has recently expanded its offices in Barcelona by creating 90 new jobs. In addition, Hive, an electric scooter rental company from Free Now, backed by Daimler and BMW, has its European headquarters in Barcelona.

The Moovel Group, helping cities boost access to mobility, has also opened a scooter-sharing service in Barcelona. Furthermore, Trek, the US manufacturer and distributor of bikes and cycling products, has also chosen Catalonia’s capital to open a repair and maintenance center.

Leading the change in tomorrow’s transport needs

As a clear sign of the future of this sector, leading OEMs and operators in the automotive industry are fully committed to urban mobility and micromobility. Locally, SEAT Mó is the large-scale Catalan automotive project for new urban mobility and micromobility vehicles comprising electric motorbikes, scooters, and quadricycles.

According to a study by the Barcelona Metropolitan Region Industrial Pact association, 58% of automotive sector companies in the metro area have stated their intention to invest in new mobility, with almost half of this investment focusing on electric vehicles.