Porto Alegre tests renewable biofuel in urban buses

Porto Alegre has begun a six-month trial of Be8 BeVant, a renewable biofuel designed to replace diesel in urban buses. The initiative, coordinated by the Municipal Secretariat of Urban Mobility (SMMU), involves four buses operated by Nortran in the city's North Zone.

The technology can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 99% and requires no technical modifications to existing Euro 5 and Euro 6 engines. The trial aims to evaluate vehicle performance, operational maintenance, costs, and supply logistics as a low-carbon alternative to fleet electrification.

The agreement was formalized between the city government and the company Be8. During the testing period, the four vehicles are expected to cover approximately 21,000 kilometers per month, consuming roughly 7,500 liters of the biofuel.