Ahead of COP30 in Belém, Brazil, at the end of 2025, it is essential to elevate the discussion on energy transitions and see more concrete changes in cities. It will not be possible to meet Brazil’s climate agenda without a focus on decarbonizing public transport. The electrification of the country’s public bus fleet is one of the most effective strategies for reducing greenhouse gas(GHG) emissions and improving air quality across all cities. In addition to the environmental benefits, the adoption of electric buses yields direct health benefits and significantly enhances the quality of urban life. Electric buses also offer an opportunity to make urban transport more efficient, attractive, and sustainable, encouraging higher ridership, promoting active mobility, and reducing the reliance on private vehicles.
Despite the benefits being clear, a myth persists that electrification remains a distant or inaccessible reality for many cities in Brazil. However, the latest study from ITDP Brazil, developed in partnership with Scipopulis and supported by the Ministry of Cities, dispels this myth. The study, “Accelerating the Transition: A Strategy to Electrify the Brazilian Bus Fleet by 2030,” determines that in some of the country’s largest metropolitan regions, more than 14,000 diesel buses could be replaced by electric buses without a substantial impact on existing transit operations. This replacement can occur through a strategy that focuses existing public investments and prioritizes the renewal of older buses to reduce their emissions impacts and modernize operations.
The post Brazil is Primed to Electrify a Huge Number of Public Buses By 2030 first appeared on Institute for Transportation and Development Policy.
