Electric Buses Accelerate Urban Mobility in Latin America and Africa

Cities across Latin America are rapidly expanding electric bus fleets to cut emissions and improve air quality. Bogotá leads with 1,485 fully electric buses, the largest fleet outside China, while Santiago, Mexico City, São Paulo, San José, Buenos Aires and Quito have also adopted battery‑powered buses as part of public‑transport upgrades.

In Africa, experts argue that electrified mass transit can deliver a double dividend of lower urban pollution and greater social equity. A MIT Technology Review analysis projects that by 2040 electric vehicle ownership costs will fall below those of internal‑combustion cars, while the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa warns that rapid urbanisation demands high‑capacity electric transit to meet Agenda 2063 targets and avoid costly road expansions.