New Electric Taxi Fleet Expected to Save Energy Costs and Lower Emissions of Colombia’s Capital

Colombia’s capital city of Bogotá has decided to introduce a starting pilot fleet of 50 fully electric taxi cabs to be used in the city’s center. 

The BYD e6 all-electric sedan will be used as part of Bogotá’s electric taxi pilot project. Photo courtesy of BYD.

Officials are anticipating a number of benefits to come from the pilot project, including reducing operating costs for the city, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as well as creating exposure and spurring demand for electric vehicles in the residential sector.

“Bogotá’s 50 new electric taxis will not only diminish noise and air pollution, but reduce operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions by more than 80 percent and 70 percent respectively when compared to traditional vehicles,” said the city’s collaborating partner, the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group.

“The pilot project is very important countrywide, and an example for the world because it sets a path to transform vehicle fleets to low carbon technologies, fosters green vehicle markets by increasing consumer confidence, and opens a wide window for public and private transportation that moves away from pollution and greenhouse gas emissions,” said a statement from Felipe Targa, Colombian vice minister of transportation.

Besides being the capital of Colombia, Bogotá is also the country’s largest city with a population of about 7 million. In terms of land area, the city is also among the largest in Latin America, and is among the top 30 largest cities in the world.

The first taxis are expected to be operational in Bogotá within the next few months. In an effort to make electric vehicles in the city a more viable option, the government on both the national and local level has enacted laws and policies to make electric vehicles more accessible for consumers.

Last December, Bogotá enacted a local decree (No. 677) to support the electric taxi project over a three-year period. Supported by an existing national government policy that removes the import duty on electric vehicles, this local decree removes circulation restrictions and permit requirements for electric taxis. The local government says that privately-owned electric vehicles will receive the same incentives.

The city has forged partnerships with several players in the automotive industry. Mitsubishi has committed to providing its i-MiEV electric cars to the project, and BYD will provide its e6 electric cars to the project.

The Mitsubishi i-MiEV fully-electric sedan will be used as part of the Bogotá electric taxi pilot project. Photo courtesy Mitsubishi.

The automakers’ local distribution representatives – Motorysa and Praco-Didacol – have said that they will support the pilot project, which has secured the confidence of participating taxi cab companies who will be purchasing the new electric vehicles.

The electric utility company, Condesa, will also support the pilot project by providing the required electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

Bogotá has been developing the electric taxi project in close collaboration with the Clinton Climate Initiative Cities program, and the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group. The project has largely been the result of the city’s active participation in the C40-Electric Vehicle Network.

Right now, there are16 other cities around the world that have also committed to work collaboratively through the C40-Electric Vehicle Network to support the successful introduction of electric vehicles. These cities are: Buenos Aires, Chicago, Copenhagen, Delhi, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Madrid, Mexico City, Portland, Toronto, São Paulo, Seoul, Stockholm, and Sydney.

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