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E-Bus Project in Lima, Peru

Key objectives

  • Introduce the first electric bus and charging infrastructure into Lima’s municipal transit system to evaluate e-bus viability and replicability
  • Collect real-time data to study the costs, operation, social, economic, and environmental benefits of transportation electrification in Lima and in Peru
  • Support the Peruvian government in forging the entry path for electric mobility technology into the country
  • Inform and educate the general public, local authorities and transportation professionals about this technology, its benefits and its applications

2022 Winner - Energy Globe National Award - PeruLima is Peru’s capital and it is one of Latin America’s largest cities. Its streets are filled with cars, buses, and taxis that run on diesel or have been converted to use gas. Electric transportation has huge potential to reduce air pollution and help the country meet its climate goals.

Our e-bus project in Peru introduced the first electric bus into Lima’s official transit system in December 2019. The 12-metre bus operates on one of the busiest arteries in the city for a period of two years. Charging infrastructure for the bus was also installed, forging the way for future roll-outs of this technology.

The main objective of this pilot project was to demystify the e-bus technology for local policymakers, transit operators and riders, and to encourage the integration of more electric buses into the public transit system. 

During the first 18 months running on the Javier Prado – Faucett Road Corridor in Lima, the e-bus’s operation was evaluated to demonstrate the feasibility of electrifying public transportation in Peru. It was found that the bus generated important environmental benefits avoiding 94 tons of CO2 emissions compared to a diesel bus and 107 tons of CO2 emissions compared to a NGV bus. It also reduced noise pollution and the cost of vehicle maintenance.

Regarding operating costs, it is estimated that the cost savings during the useful life of the e-bus will be 30% less than a diesel bus and 17% less than a NGV bus. It is also worth noting the positive riding experience of passengers, who indicated that they are very satisfied with the Lima e-bus, citing the benefits in noise reduction and the amenities offered to passengers on board (i.e. USB chargers, Wifi and security cameras). Similarly, a large number of passengers surveyed expressed a desire for more e-buses operating in Lima. 

This real, local data on costs, operation, social, economic and environmental benefits of transportation electrification in Lima and in Peru was used to develop an in-depth study that GSEP shared with the project’s participating Ministries. The Peruvian government and transit operators are using this study as a stepping stone towards the integration of electric buses into the local transit system in Lima and other cities. Developing electric transportation is among the Peruvian government’s commitments to fight climate change and reduce the country’s carbon footprint. The government strongly supported the project and has presented it as one of the projects included in its Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMA).

The project was launched in 2016 under the leadership of GSEP member companies Hydro-Québec and Enel X. After several fact-finding missions to Peru, the feasibility study for the project was completed in October 2017 with the support of various local partners and the Peruvian government. The bus was integrated to the public transit system in December 2019. 

The project is funded by the project leaders, Hydro-Québec and Enel X, as well as GSEP.

 

PARTICIPATING MEMBERS AND PARTNERS

  • Hydro-Québec
  • Enel X
  • GSEP
  • Ministry of Energy and Mines of Peru
  • Ministry of Transportation of Peru
  • ProTransporte (local transportation authority)