Public policy and battery-electric bus deployment in Latin America: A critical review through the Brazilian lens

Abstract

In Latin America (LA), the transportation sector is a major and fast-growing source of greenhouse gases. Urban centers struggle with air pollution, severely impacting public health. In this context, the electrification of urban bus fleets has emerged as a promising strategy to leapfrog polluting technologies. Nevertheless, the deployment of battery-electric buses (BEBs) faces significant resistance due to the path dependence of conventional diesel buses, as well as uncertainties surrounding this technology, particularly its higher costs and charging infrastructure requirements. This paper aims to analyze and review how nationally implemented public policies, in coordination with multi-level actors, can drive the implementation of BEBs in Latin America, with a specific focus on Brazil. While this paper examines the broader Latin American context as a backdrop, its primary focus is on Brazil, where BEBs adoption reflects both regional trends and distinctive national dynamics. Drawing on the framework of sustainability transitions, the findings suggest that national-level public policies, when aligned with local initiatives and supported by effective actor coordination, can enhance the potential for driving the electrification of public transportation and overcoming implementation barriers. Considering the varying adoption of BEBs across LA, this paper addresses two key research questions: i) What is the role of public policies in promoting the implementation of BEBs in LA countries? ii) How do actors at different governance levels contribute to or hinder the implementation of BEBs? Using Brazil as a case study, the paper emphasizes that fostering electromobility requires strengthening and deepening policy coordination across national and local levels, alongside collaboration with non-governmental actors. Furthermore, the paper underscores the need to build stronger mechanisms for collaboration to address the political, institutional, and financial challenges associated of reducing dependence on combustion-based technologies.