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Energy Business
Rafael Herzberg
Rafael Herzberg
Expert Member
Top Contributor
·Posted in Energy Business
Tue, May 7

Does EV make sense in Brazil?

Does EV make sense in Brazil?

Electric vehicles ("EVs") are environmental "darlings" in developed countries mainly due to their reduction in emissions.

Here in Brazil, is this justified?

1) We are a poor country.

Our GDP per capita is a small fraction of developed countries.

So buying an EV is only a possibility - at least for now - for the richest segment of the population.

An EV costs thousands of USD more than a traditional vehicle. It's hardly justified. Even for those who drive a lot a day, as the "capillarity" of battery charging ("electro stations") is still not there.

2) On the environmental side, the gain of EVs vis-à-vis "flex" cars (ethanol) is essentially marginal.

Should Brazil "do the math" to qualify the solution?

3) The necessary electrical infrastructure is a capital-intensive investment.

Each GW of additional capacity (electric stations) requires USD 3 billion in relation to the electricity sector value chain (generation, transmission and distribution).

 Is Brazil prepared for the challenge? Who are those to make the infrastructure viable?

We are facing important decisions.Or not?

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