Latin American cities reach 10,000 electric bus milestone

Latin American cities have reached a milestone of 10,000 electric buses in operation across more than 80 cities in 13 countries. This achievement was announced by C40 Cities and the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) during the Lat. Bus 2026 event.

Santiago, São Paulo, and Bogotá are leading the regional transition, collectively operating more than 7,000 electric buses. The widespread adoption of these vehicles is estimated to prevent over 10 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, contributing to improved air quality and urban health.

São Paulo has established a notable model by combining regulatory requirements for fleet renewal with strategic financing packages that reduce the initial investment burden on municipalities. This approach, which includes bans on replacing old diesel buses with new diesel models, serves as a potential roadmap for other global megacities seeking to decarbonize public transport.