Volkswagen e-Delivery electric truck celebrates five years as Brazil's EV market expands

Volkswagen Caminhões e Ônibus marked the five‑year anniversary of the e-Delivery, the first fully electric truck developed and produced in Latin America. Launched in 2021, the model initially held a near‑half share of Brazil’s electric‑truck market, but competition has intensified. By 2024 the e‑Delivery’s share fell to 49 % as Chinese brands such as JAC entered the market; in 2025 JAC overtook Volkswagen, and in the first half of 2026 the e‑Delivery accounted for only 5.6 % of licensed electric trucks.

The broader Brazilian freight sector is pursuing emissions cuts through fleet renewal. A study by the Instituto Mauá de Tecnologia estimates that replacing older diesel trucks with newer models could cut greenhouse‑gas emissions by about 11 % and improve fuel efficiency. The federal BNDES Mais Mobilidade programme now provides up to R$ 21 billion to finance modernisation of heavy‑duty vehicles, while the rollout of vehicle inspection (ITV) is expected to accelerate retirements of the least efficient units.

Electric‑vehicle sales are booming. In the first half of 2026, the state of Bahia recorded a 155 % surge in electric and hybrid vehicle registrations, with such cars representing roughly 20 % of all new sales. Nationally, 215 023 light electric and hybrid vehicles were sold, a 125 % increase year‑on‑year. The surge has also driven higher insurance premiums for electric models; BYD’s Song Plus and Dolphin Mini topped the 2026 list of the most expensive auto policies in Brazil.

Anticipating a new 35 % import‑tax on fully electrified vehicles, importers built up stock ahead of the July 1 rollout, aiming to smooth supply through the second half of the year. The combined effects of market growth, regulatory changes, and intensified competition are reshaping Brazil’s commercial‑vehicle landscape while supporting national decarbonisation goals.