Palma horse-carriage replacement prototype unveiled for 2027 electric switch

Palma’s traditional horse-drawn carriages could be heading for a major change, with a new electric model unveiled in the city as an alternative to horses.

The prototype was presented near Palma Cathedral on Monday, September 28, with the €45,000 vehicle designed to preserve the familiar appearance of the island’s tourist carriages while replacing animal power with an electric motor.

The model could potentially begin operating in Palma in 2027, although several regulatory steps still need to be completed before that can happen.

A familiar look without the horse

The proposed electric carriage has been developed by the Carrulet group in collaboration with Palma’s carriage drivers’ association.

Rather than introducing a completely modern-looking vehicle, the design aims to retain the traditional character associated with Palma’s calesas while changing the way they are powered.

The prototype is expected to have a range of approximately 160 kilometres, with a battery capable of providing around 14 hours of operation.

The project has also drawn on experience with electric carriages already being used in Alcudia, where the technology has previously been put into practice.

The unveiling comes amid continued discussion over the future of horse-drawn tourist transport in Mallorca and the conditions under which the vehicles operate.

Drivers show interest

There is already interest among Palma’s caleseros, with more than 10 drivers reportedly expressing an intention to adopt the electric model.

More than half of the city’s carriage drivers are said to be interested in the transition, although the €45,000 price tag means that replacing the existing fleet is unlikely to happen overnight.

Financial support could therefore play an important role if the electric alternative is eventually rolled out across Palma.

For drivers, the new model could offer a way of continuing to provide the popular tourist rides while removing the need for horses to pull the carriages through the city’s busy streets.

More hurdles before launch

Despite Monday’s unveiling, the electric carriages cannot simply begin operating in Palma.

The prototype will first have to be assessed by Palma City Council and meet the relevant requirements established by Spain’s traffic authorities and the Mobility Department.

Changes to local regulations will also be required before the new vehicles can officially be introduced.

A 15-day public consultation is expected to form part of the process, giving interested parties the opportunity to make their views known before any regulatory changes are approved.

If the necessary permissions are secured, 2027 could mark the beginning of a gradual transformation of Palma’s famous carriage fleet.

The proposal would not mean an immediate disappearance of horse-drawn carriages, but the interest already shown by drivers suggests electric vehicles could become an increasingly visible feature of Palma’s streets in the years ahead.