Within the framework of the National Mobility Strategy, Chile is accelerating plans to move towards more efficient, non-polluting and carbon neutral vehicles by 2050.
The program establishes that by 2035, 100% of sales of light, medium and public transport cars (buses, cabs and collectives), and large machinery will be zero-emission.
Although these deadlines seem long, important changes are already beginning to be seen in the vehicle fleet with the circulation of the first electric bus produced in Chile, which has already been approved by the Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications.
The vehicle was developed by the Chilean company Reborn Electric Motors, which received the homologation certificate granted by the Vehicle Control and Certification Center (3CV) of the Ministry. This department carried out a series of tests and mechanical and safety requirements for the prototype to be launched.
It is a 100% electric taxibus called Queltehue, which has a range of 200 kilometers and capacity for 24 passengers. It also has technological elements such as USB chargers and comfort features, including heating and air conditioning to make the user experience more comfortable.
Next Steps
After this important presentation, Reborn Electric Motors expects to develop around 200 new electric buses per year in its factory in Chile and hopes to become the first company in South America totally dedicated to the production of 100% electric buses. For now, it has signed an agreement with the National Copper Corporation of Chile (Codelco) for the supply of 104 such vehicles, which will be used to transport workers at the El Teniente mine in Rancagua.
“We are very happy to see many familiar faces, who have forged the path of Reborn Electric Motors in one way or another. This bus demonstrates that it is possible to generate value and national technology, that we can add value to our copper and lithium,” said Reborn Electric Motos Co-Founder and Technology Manager, Ricardo Repenning.
For his part, the Minister of Transport and Telecommunications, Juan Carlos Muñoz, said that the electric bus manufactured in Chile demonstrates that the country is capable of moving towards sustainable mobility, with a joint effort between Chilean entrepreneurs and the State, which paves the way towards zero emissions.
