It may come as a surprise to many people to learn that the largest EV taxi service in South America is situated in Bogota, Colombia. While the likes of Europe, the Far East and to a greater extent the US dominate the EV industry it seems as though the principles behind electric vehicle travel have transferred to South America with little trouble. The vehicles in question are part of an array of EVs manufactured by BYD and the 45 BYD e6 EVs now ferrying people across Bogota certainly seem to have caught the headlines. There are many reasons why this particular project is catching the eye of not only businesses but also politicians and consumers across the region.
It may come as a surprise to many people to learn that the largest EV taxi service in South America is situated in Bogota, Colombia. While the likes of Europe, the Far East and to a greater extent the US dominate the EV industry it seems as though the principles behind electric vehicle travel have transferred to South America with little trouble.
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The vehicles in question are part of an array of EVs manufactured by BYD and the 45 BYD e6 EVs now ferrying people across Bogota certainly seem to have caught the headlines. There are many reasons why this particular project is catching the eye of not only businesses but also politicians and consumers across the region.
Air pollution
While there is some confusion and discussion as to what actual savings electric vehicles have over their gasoline counterparts, when you take into account the way in which the electricity is produced, there is a general consensus that EVs are more environmentally friendly. To what extent emissions can impact everyday life is perfectly illustrated by the estimated economic loss in Colombia caused by air pollution which is put at around 570 million pesos per annum. This is an enormous loss attributed to various aspects of air pollution and something which will certainly have caught the eye of businesses.
Quote from ElectricForum.com : "Despite the fact that many Hong Kong taxi drivers are set against the introduction of electric taxis it seems that the authorities are determined to push this through at some point. In a city which has over 500,000 vehicles it is claimed that just 310 are pure electric vehicles. This is obviously a dismal percentage of the overall traffic in the city although when you bear in mind there are 18,000 taxis perhaps this move by the authorities could set the wheels in motion for a significant take-up of electric vehicles in due course?"
The authorities in Colombia also estimate that up to 5,000 deaths per annum may be directly or indirectly attributed to air pollution therefore not only is there an economic saving but there is also potential for improved health across the region.
Continue reading at ENN affiliate, Electric Forum.
Taxi sign image via Shutterstock.
