Brazil is experiencing a revolution in sustainable mobility, with a significant increase in electric vehicles (EVs) use. This article presents a detailed analysis of the number of EVs in use, future projections, and the environmental impact of this change.
Growth of Electric Vehicles in Brazil
Brazil registered around 177,000 electric vehicles in 2024, an impressive increase from approximately 41,000 units in 2019. This growth reflects a significant change in consumer mindset and a greater acceptance of sustainable technology.
The projection for the coming years is equally promising. By 2029, the number of EVs is expected to reach 300,000 units; by 2034, the market could reach 500,000 units. These figures highlight the importance of EVs in the composition of the country’s vehicle fleet.
Proportion of Electric Vehicles on the Roads
Electric vehicles still represent a small percentage of the total vehicles on Brazilian roads. They make up about 0.5%, up from 0.1% five years ago. However, projections for the future indicate a substantial increase, with expectations that EVs will represent 1% of total vehicles in 2029 and 2% in 2034.
Main Brands and Manufacturers
BYD is Brazil’s most prominent electric vehicle brand, with popular models such as the BYD Dolphin and the JAC E-JS1. However, most EVs in the country are imported, mainly from China. Although there are initiatives to produce EVs locally, imports still dominate the market.
Charging Infrastructure
Charging infrastructure is crucial to the success of electric vehicles. Brazil currently has around 12,100 charging stations, a significant increase from the 735 stations available five years ago. Projections indicate that the number of stations could reach 30,000 in 2029 and 60,000 in 2034, highlighting the country’s commitment to expanding this infrastructure.
Impact on CO2 Emissions
The increasing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) positively impacts CO2 emission trends. EVs significantly reduce emissions, supporting the decarbonization of the Brazilian energy matrix. In addition, integrating EVs with distributed generation systems, such as solar panels, increases sustainability and energy efficiency.
Comparison with Biofuel Vehicles
Biofuel-powered vehicles:
Advantages: Biofuels can be a more sustainable option than traditional fossil fuels. They are produced from renewable resources, such as plants, and emit fewer greenhouse gases than gasoline or diesel.
Disadvantages: Biofuel production can compete with food production and, in some cases, lead to deforestation and biodiversity loss (intensive agriculture should be explored as a solution). In addition, burning biofuels still generates emissions of air pollutants.
Electric vehicles:
Advantages: They produce zero tailpipe emissions while driving, which can significantly reduce air pollution in cities. If the electricity used to charge the vehicles comes from renewable sources (such as solar or wind), total emissions can be very low.
Disadvantages: Producing electric batteries can have significant environmental impacts, especially the mining of metals such as lithium and cobalt. In addition, the environmental impact can be greater if the electricity used to charge the vehicles comes from non-renewable sources (such as coal-fired power plants).
Summary: Electric vehicles generally tend to be a more environmentally friendly option, especially when combined with renewable energy sources. From an economic point of view, it is terrible for the country’s foreign exchange since most of them come from China. On the other hand, we already have a vast biofuel fleet, which would be enough to encourage the use of ethanol. It’s a difficult choice, but I would still stick with ethanol and bet on hydrogen in the future. In short, both vehicles have their environmental challenges.
Contact the Responsible Agency
For more information on domestic transportation and the supervision of electric vehicles in Brazil, please contact the Ministry of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services (MDIC) at https://www.gov.br/mdic/pt-br.
This article presents a comprehensive overview of the advancement of electric vehicles in Brazil, highlighting the significant growth, future projections, and the positive impact on CO2 emissions. Sustainable mobility is becoming an increasingly tangible reality, and Brazil is taking important steps in this direction.
This Post was submitted by Climate Scorecard Brazil Country Manager Carlos Alexandre de Oliveira.
Image credit: Mariordo (Mario Roberto Duran Ortiz)