The Mayor of Rio de Janeiro has announced a package of alternative power measures and goals with two important milestones for 2030 and 2050. Here are the main goals affecting the mobility and transportation industry:
2030
- Replace 20% of Public Service of Bus Transportation by Zero Emission Vehicles.
- Reduce by 10% the average time of commuting by public transportation.
- Increase by 400% the number of trips by bicycle.
- Reduce by 20% the emission of GHG.
- Reach 100% of city regions with selective refuse collection.
2050
- Neutralize GHG emission
- 100% of the Transit Bus Fleet is Electric.
Source: Diario do Transporte Read The Article
PSR Analysis: The Climate Plan announced by the mayor goes beyond electrification and has a positive impact on urban mobility and society, especially when looking to 2030, but the effectiveness is questionable when looking to 2050.
PSR believes that it makes sense to think about vehicle electrification on fixed routes and known destinations, such as for transit buses. However, for the long term, there are several alternative propulsion technologies competing as the best alternative to provide lower emissions of greenhouse gases, particulates and other pollutants, ones that are potentially more economical and sustainable. These could have a broader and more positive impact on society.
The best technology is still uncertain and will be defined according to the evolution of several technologies in the coming years and the availability of infrastructure that allows their introduction. A more adequate path than the definition of technology is the definition of maximum limits for the emission of greenhouse gases and pollutants per kilometer.
It is still unclear whether Rio de Janeiro will set the electrification of 100% of the fleet with a battery solution (BEV) or if it will leave it open for an electric drive train solution with fuel cell power supply. This is a technology that possibly could mature by 2050 with primary sources well aligned with the natural resources of the Brazilian energy matrix, with abundant and competitive natural gas and an important presence of Ethanol.
Therefore, for 2050, simply stating that the city of Rio de Janeiro will electrify 100% of its fleet seems like a remarkable effort, but it may be premature and superficial. The only certainty is that the matter will be reviewed, better defined and detailed latter. PSR
Fabio Ferraresi is Director-Business Development, South America, for Power Systems Research
