Evaluating electric vehicle and emission standards improvement in a Latin American city

Abstract

Electric vehicles (EVs) are considered a solution for reducing the environmental and public health impacts of light-duty vehicles and decarbonizing the transportation sector. However, their adoption in low- and middle-income countries is limited due to reliance on international models that may not account for local conditions. This study presents a comprehensive methodology for evaluating the integration of EVs into Bogotá, Colombia's vehicle fleet, and uniquely applies European emission standards, highlighting the potential to improve air quality in Latin American urban centers. It examines energy demand, greenhouse gas emissions, air pollutants, and the associated environmental, health, and infrastructure costs. The analysis covers three scenarios over 30 years. Results indicate that promoting EV adoption is more effective in reducing energy consumption and CO₂ emissions compared to the broad deployment of electric buses. Furthermore, the scenario with the most ambitious electrification goals presented the lowest NPV, despite having the highest infrastructure investment cost.