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- Company is among founders of coalition leveraging electric road transport in Brazil
- The objective was to evaluate the viability of the route for electric trucks and map surrounding infrastructure
Volkswagen Truck & Bus is joining forces with the Brazilian government, the TRATON GROUP and fifteen other institutions to launch e-Dutra, the country’s first green highway corridor, which will connect the cities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. The objective of the program is to develop the infrastructure needed to operate the route with electric trucks. This coalition is already delivering excellent results. VWTB, in collaboration with the LOTS Group, has pioneered the first electric route along this highway as part of this partnership.
One of the company’s e-Delivery trucks traveled 800 kilometers between Resende and Sorocaba, mainly along the Dutra Highway, using only the existing charge stations to recharge its battery. This trip offered proof of the feasibility of the route and also helped map out existing infrastructure and related challenges.
By integrating lessons learned on vehicle performance, route optimization and the practical requirements for large-scale commercial charging networks, the initiative will be well-positioned to negotiate and accelerate the deployment of reliable, high-capacity charging stations.
“We are committed to develop sustainable transport solutions for everyone. This is why we joined the coalition as an initiator: to support building a smarter mobility to the next generations. And it certainly involves our partnership with different stakeholders to harness the collective power that will make a difference”, states Roberto Cortes, President and CEO of Volkswagen Truck & Bus.
Volkswagen Truck & Bus and the TRATON GROUP will add efforts to the coalition with institutions such as Smart Freight Centre, CALSTART, The Climate Pledge, C40 Cities the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, International Council for Clean Transportation and WRI Brasil, as well as several private companies.
Sustainable transport transition in Brazil: a lasting legacy at VWTB
First assembler to develop and produce a 100% electric truck in Brazil, the e-Delivery, Volkswagen Truck & Bus has sought to create new and more efficient technologies since the start of its operations. The company is now offering products with the lowest level of emissions in its history while making key advances in alternative solutions.
This year, VWTB also began operational testing with its e-Volksbus electric bus, as well as its biomethane- powered Constellation truck. In parallel, the company has adopted the use of green diesel (HVO) during initial fueling on its assembly line and also tests 100% biodiesel vehicles with its customers. "We have already moved on to the second generation of e-Delivery deliveries and we are making sure that our entire line of products and services continues to evolve", concludes Cortes.