CIMALSA leads the roadmap for the decarbonization and electrification of freight transport at SIL 2026

SIL 2026

CIMALSA, the public company of the Generalitat, has focused the second day of the International Logistics Exhibition (SIL) 2026 on the challenges of the electrification of heavy vehicles and the new Catalan Strategy for Railway Terminals, consolidating its leadership in the transformation of the sector.

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During the second day of International Logistics Exhibition (SIL 2026), the public company CIMALSA It has been the focus of the debate on the competitiveness and decarbonization of freight transport. Experts and executives have analyzed the challenges of electrifying heavy goods vehicles and the intermodal strategy for Cataluñademonstrating that the transformation of the sector is already a strategy in full implementation.

The day began with the presentation of a key project for the internationalization of the region: the intermodal station of Torreblanca Quatre Pilars, located in the new logistics park of LleidaThose who participated in the event Fèlix Larrosa, Mayor of Lleida; Simó Batlle, business director of CIMALSA, and Marta Casas, project manager of INCASÒL. Batlle He emphasized that the terminal "will be key to providing a service for the internationalization of companies in Lleida," while Larrosa positioned the capital of Segrià as "the city of opportunities", designed to "attract investment and support growth".

Smart Logistics: The debate on the electrification of heavy transport

The 'Smart Logistics' session, entitled 'Consolidation of Electric Heavy Vehicles: Challenges and Opportunities', directly addressed the barriers and advantages of the energy transition in fleets. Moderated by Carolina GuerreroTechnical and strategic director of CIMALSAThe panel included the institutional perspective of Assumpta Farran, head of the transport unit of ICAENand the business prospects of Pedro Domingo (Zunder), Gabriel Bernal (Transbernal / Electrotruck Power Services) and Xavi Esteve (Motor Tàrrega).

Assumpta Farran He contextualized the urgency of the change: "The electrical transformation and decarbonization are not only about environmental issues, but also about access to energy sources." From the private sector, Gabriel Bernal He emphasized the need for institutional support, stating that "we don't need imposition, but rather guidance." He also provided a key piece of information regarding profitability: the cost of electric vehicle charging "is very low compared to fuel, especially if you charge from your home base."

The speakers identified the lack of information as a major obstacle. Pedro Domingo He acknowledged that "when a carrier faces the challenge of electrification, they often lack information." At this point, Xavi Esteve He added the importance of a comprehensive service, since "it is necessary to offer a service with maintenance, because each company is a different case depending on the planned route."

Challenges and Opportunities of Heavy Electrification

Key Area	Technical analysis	Main Speaker
Rental income	The cost of electric charging is significantly lower than that of fuel, especially with dedicated charging stations.	Gabriel Bernal (Transbernal)
Information	There is a knowledge gap that hinders adoption by carriers.	Pedro Domingo (Zunder)
Service and Maintenance	A personalized service tailored to the specific routes of each company is required.	Xavi Esteve (Motor Tàrrega)
Energy Strategy	Electrification is a matter of access to and diversification of energy sources, not just environmental concerns.	Assumpta Farran (ICAEN)

Quo Vadis: Boosting intermodality with the Railway Terminals Strategy

The agenda of CIMALSA continued in the Sala Príncipe with the 'Quo Vadis Mercaderies' conference, focused on 'Catalan strategy for railway terminals'The debate, moderated by Simó Batlle, focused on the role of the public-private partnership to develop a system of public terminals that will boost freight transport by rail.

Carmen Ruiz, general director of CIMALSAShe was clear about the objective: "We want the four terminals to be a fundamental structure for the transfer of goods from road to rail." She made a direct appeal to the business sector, asking for "enthusiasm, confidence, and patience to develop the rail strategy."

The panel of experts, composed of Kenneth Martínez (mayor of El Vendrell), Miguel Luis Lapeña (City Hall of Lleida), Joan Gaya (Kronospan) to Ignasi Pons (FECIC), unanimously agreed on the need to maintain "open and continuous" communication between all actors to ensure the success of the project.

The intense day of CIMALSA It was completed with the presentation of the new digital management platform for the DUM in Cataluña and a session on innovation and profitability with technology companies such as Atlantis, Cactus, Mosaic Factor y TrueColdconsolidating the public company as a central actor in the coordination and execution of the Catalan logistics transformation.

Key points and frequently asked questions about the logistics transformation in Catalonia

How does the electrification of heavy transport affect the profitability of a Spanish exporting company?

According to industry experts, although the initial investment in a heavy-duty electric vehicle is higher, operating costs are drastically reduced. The price of electric charging is significantly lower than that of diesel fuel, especially if the company installs charging points at its own logistics centers. In the medium term, electrification improves margins and competitiveness, as well as facilitating access to Low Emission Zones.

What role does public-private collaboration play in the development of these new railway terminals?

It is fundamental. The public administration, led by organizations such as CIMALSAIt plans and promotes strategic infrastructure, while the private sector provides the investment, operations, and real market demand. As highlighted in the SIL 2026The success of the strategy depends on constant communication and mutual trust to align business competitiveness goals with sustainability goals.

Are intermodal terminals like the one in Lleida a viable solution for SMEs or only for large operators?

They are designed to serve the entire business sector. Although large operators can handle larger volumes, these public terminals allow SMEs to access rail freight services that would otherwise be inaccessible. By consolidating shipments from different companies, costs are optimized and the internationalization of exporting SMEs from regions such as [region name missing] is facilitated. Lleida.