Thanks to electric mobility, the Colombian capital is already part of the revolution in sustainable transportation. With a firm commitment to improving air quality and reducing carbon emissions, Bogota is positioned as one of the cities with the highest growth in electric mobility in Latin America.
Recharging Infrastructure: The Key to Success
The Integrated Public Transportation System (SITP) aims to establish 22 recharging yards and maintain a fleet of 4,109 buses. Currently, Bogotá operates 1,470 electric buses (e-buses) and has 9 recharging yards equipped with 503 chargers, each with a capacity of 150 kW. Additionally, 13 more yards are in the planning stage and will support up to 2,630 e-buses.
As a result, Bogotá has emerged as one of the cities with the largest fleets of e-buses in Latin America. Of the 9 operational yards, Enel X has delivered 6 to aid in the transition to sustainable mobility. The expansion of charging stations at strategic points in the city has eased the transition for users, ensuring that recharging an electric vehicle is as easy as filling up the gas tank.
Álvaro José Rengifo Campo, former general manager of Transmilenio S.A., highlights the importance of electric buses in reducing greenhouse gases since they do not emit particulate matter, "It is one of the major causes of health problems in cities. What good is a city where we are all sick and where we have to go to health centers and hospitals? This is a great contribution we are making with electric mobility".
Innovative Projects and Promising Future
One of the flagship projects is implementing electric buses in Bogotá's public transportation system. These buses are not only quieter and more efficient but also contribute to a cleaner and healthier urban environment.
"Electric buses are quiet and do not emit pollutants like traditional combustion buses. There has been a noticeable improvement in air quality, with fewer odors and less smoke. These buses also offer a comfortable ride," says Alejandro Porras, a driver for the Integrated Public Transport System of Bogotá (SITP) at the airport's electric bus yard.
Enel X continues to collaborate with the government and other entities to continue expanding and improving the electric mobility network, with plans such as Bogota Region 2030, which seeks to strengthen the electric infrastructure in Bogota and Cundinamarca with 30 new substations and their transmission lines, which will not only support the transition to electric mobility but the entire electrification process.
Environmental and Economic Benefits
The shift to electric mobility not only represents a significant environmental improvement by reducing CO2 emissions and improving urban air quality but also offers economic benefits. Electric vehicles' operating costs are lower than those of internal combustion vehicles, which translates into long-term savings for users.
In August 2023, Colombia reached a historic milestone of over 10,000 all-electric vehicles. In the first two months of 2024, the number of electric vehicles registered grew by 20% over the previous year.
Commitment to Sustainability
The advancement of electric mobility in Bogota is a testament to the commitment to a sustainable future. For this reason, Enel X continues to innovate and seek new ways to integrate clean and efficient technologies into people's daily lives, positioning Bogota as a role model in the energy transition and making it a city on its way to becoming a leader in electric mobility, thanks to its commitment to sustainability.
