The agreement, with an initial investment of 42 million euros, highlights Grupo Julià’s commitment to the ecological transition
Barcelona, 21st November 2024
Grupo Julià, one of the leading Spanish business groups specializing in global tourism and mobility services, and Zenobē, a London-based company and world leader in the electrification of large transport fleets, have reached an agreement that marks the beginning of the ecological transition process for the bus fleet of the Group, based in Hospitalet de Llobregat.
The agreement, with an estimated initial investment of 42 million euros, includes Zenobē financing the buses that Grupo Julià will dedicate to its sightseeing bus services. The agreement will be executed through two contracts: on one hand, the bus rental (Bus Rental) with monthly installments and an option to purchase at the end of the concession period, and on the other, the battery rental (Battery on Bus), which ensures that the vehicle batteries always meet the requirements for the routes and includes all associated maintenance services.
Additionally, Zenobē will be responsible for the construction, maintenance, and operation of the necessary infrastructure for the operation of the new electric fleet: substation, panels, electric chargers, and 150 kW electric vehicle hoses in two phases. A customized software will optimize vehicle charging according to the best applicable electricity rates at the time of refueling and will provide the key parameters for consumption and charging.
This turnkey integrated solution will position Grupo Julià as the leader in the sustainable transport market within the tourism sector. This is Zenobē’s first large fleet electrification project in Spain, having already serviced over 2,000 electric vehicles in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand..
For José Francisco Adell, CEO of Grupo Julià,
“This operation positions Barcelona as the city with the most sustainable sightseeing bus service in the world and reinforces our strategic commitment to implementing environmentally-friendly mobility solutions.”
For his part, Martín Navarro, EV Business Director of Zenobē in Spain, highlighted that “the collaboration with Grupo Julià represents an excellent starting point for Zenobē to bring its experience from over 120 bus depots internationally to the Spanish market.”
About Grupo Julià:
Grupo Julià is one of Spain’s leading business groups specializing in global tourism and sustainable mobility services. Present in 20 cities across 8 countries (Spain, UK, Italy, USA, Argentina, Mexico, Andorra, and Morocco), the company serves over 12 million customers worldwide and operates a fleet of over 450 vehicles.
The company is organized into three main divisions:
- Tourism Division: Through the brands Julià Travel, Julià Tours, This is Med, City Sailing, and Julià Tours & Tickets, it covers the main tourism services, including tour operation and inbound tourism services, among others.
- City Tour Worldwide Division: The City Tour brand has become one of the leading international sightseeing bus operators, transporting more than 4 million passengers annually in major tourist capitals (Barcelona, Madrid, London, Rome, Mexico City, etc.)
- Transport Division: Through the brands Autocares Julià, Autocares Nadal, Direct Bus, and Julià Premium, it specializes in discretionary, regular, special-use, and luxury coach services.
About Zenobē:
Since its creation in 2017, Zenobē has raised over £1.8 billion in debt and equity financing. The company has more than 735 MW of batteries connected to the grid, active or under contract, and supports over 2,000 electric vehicles worldwide.
Headquartered in London, Zenobē is the leading battery storage owner and operator in the UK, a supplier to National Grid, the country’s leading energy distribution company, and powers around 25% of the country’s electric bus market. It is also the number one electric bus operator in Australia and New Zealand.
For more information about Zenobē: www.zenobe.com or LinkedIn.
For more information:
Mateu Llinàs – Grupo Julià Communication
mllinas@manifestacom.com – 93 342 51 59
