Singapore's leading Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao featured an article on Jan 5, with the original title saying that China's electric vehicles are making an environmentally friendly journey across Brazil, receiving a favorable reception.
This photo shows the interior of the inaugural electric bus route in Brazil.
Photo credit: Lianhe Zaobao
The story says, in the bustling city of Sao Jose dos Campos, nestled in the heart of Sao Paulo state, a new era of public transportation was quietly unfolding. The sun shone brightly on the sleek, modern electric buses that glided silently along the “Green Line,” a dedicated route that had become a symbol of innovation and environmental consciousness. Among the drivers of these remarkable vehicles was a woman named Alexandra, whose passion for her job was palpable.
The first time Alexandra took the wheel of the electric bus, she felt an instant connection. She remembered it being akin to love at first sight. Having previously driven diesel buses, she was captivated by the advanced technology and eco-friendly design of the electric model. As she settled into her seat, she proudly pointed to the high-definition camera mounted beside her, which provided a crystal-clear view of the road behind.
Launched in late 2021, the Green Line was Brazil's first fully electric bus route. Each bus bore a striking green label proclaiming “100% Electric,” a testament to its commitment to sustainability. The buses, manufactured by the Chinese brand BYD, were not only visually stunning but also a significant step towards greener public transport in the city. The collaboration between BYD and the São José dos Campos city government marked a pivotal moment in the city's efforts to enhance its public transportation system.
Many passengers might not have known the bus's brand or where it came from, but their experiences on the Green Line were very telling. Angela, a frequent rider, expressed her appreciation for the Green Line's speed, its exclusive lane, and the superior air conditioning compared to other buses. Her positive outlook resonated with the feelings of numerous others who had adopted this new form of transportation.
As electric buses became more prevalent in Latin America, the number of people like Angela, who relied on Chinese-made electric buses for their daily commutes, continued to grow. According to the Latin American public transport data platform, E-Bus Radar, Brazil alone had 686 electric buses in operation, with a total of 6,057 across the region. Brands like BYD, Foton, Yutong, and Zhongtong Bus were leading the charge, bringing cutting-edge technology to the streets of Latin America.
The rise of electric buses and vehicles in the region was not just a trend; it was a gateway for local communities to engage with Chinese renewable energy technologies. The “New Three” Products — electric vehicles, lithium batteries, and photovoltaic products -- were rapidly making their way into the Latin American market. Data from the Atlantic Council revealed that China’s exports of green technology to Latin America had surged from $5 billion in 2021 to nearly double that by 2023. By August 2024, Latin America accounted for 10 percent of China's exports of these innovative products.
Behind the rapid penetration of Chinese green technology into the Latin American market are the political and economic demands of both China and Latin America. Marcos Cordeiro Pires, a professor of international political economy at the Sao Paulo State University in Brazil, explains that many Latin American countries are promoting a green transition, with the primary goal of driving economic industrialization through energy transformation, establishing new economic models, and breaking free from dependence on low-value-added commodity exports.
At the same time, China's investments in clean energy production, processing of key minerals in Latin America, and the overall entry of Chinese industrial enterprises into the market provide opportunities for Latin American countries to climb higher up the value chain in manufacturing and create higher-skilled jobs.
From China's perspective, as green technology products face challenges in Western markets, the Latin American market has become an important breakthrough point for Chinese companies.
Chinese investments in the green sector in Latin America are extensive. On one hand, major companies are quietly promoting regional energy transformation through infrastructure investments in hydropower, solar energy, and wind energy. On the other hand, the popularization of consumer products such as electric vehicles and solar panels among the public has also increased the visibility of Chinese green technology locally.
Some companies also demonstrate their willingness and ability to improve the lives of people in Latin America through product promotion or corporate social responsibility projects. In the context of great power competition and a complex business environment, the development path of Chinese enterprises in Latin America is not necessarily smooth. On one hand, Chinese investments in Latin America are often criticized for environmental issues; on the other hand, China's technological contributions to green development in Latin America in recent years have also received increasing recognition.
Source: Global Times
