Chile Launches Its First Intercity Bus Powered by Green Hydrogen
Chile has taken a significant step towards a greener future with the launch of its first intercity bus powered by green hydrogen. This groundbreaking initiative, led by the state agency Corporación de Fomento de la Producción (Corfo) and the company Foton, aims to reduce the carbon footprint and eliminate polluting emissions.
Transportation currently contributes to 25% of greenhouse gas emissions in Chile, making this project a crucial part of the country’s environmental policy. The newly unveiled bus generates only water and heat as waste, leaving behind no polluting emissions. With a range of up to 400 kilometers and a seating capacity of 47 passengers along with the driver, this bus showcases the potential of environmentally-friendly transportation alternatives.
Deputy Economy Minister Javiera Petersen highlighted the economic benefits of this initiative, saying, The economic challenge facing our country is to close productivity gaps while generating quality jobs and moving towards carbon neutrality. She emphasized that sustainable cities must start with sustainable transportation.
Santiago de Chile already boasts over 2,000 electric buses—equivalent to 31% of its total vehicle fleet—making it the second-largest fleet of its kind in the world, only behind China. These electric buses have already shown promising results in terms of reducing emissions and noise levels. A study conducted by the Chilean Ministry of Environment in 2022 revealed that 60% of users and 75% of drivers noticed a decrease in noise pollution.
In an effort to further expand the electric vehicle market, the national government is eagerly awaiting the arrival of another 1,000 electric units before the end of the current presidential term.
Although Chile continues to make strides towards a greener future, the country’s Central Bank reported a projected 0.4% drop in the local economy by the end of 2023. However, the October Economic Expectations Survey (EEE) predicts a 1.8% growth for 2024, offering hope for a rebound.
In terms of inflation, a variation of 0.5% is projected for this month, followed by 0.3% in November. By the end of 2023, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is expected to increase by 4.2%, following a significant rise of 12.8% in 2022.
Chile’s launch of its first intercity bus powered by green hydrogen marks a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and prioritize sustainable transportation. As more electric buses hit the streets and innovative technologies like green hydrogen gain traction, Chile is paving the way for a cleaner and greener future.
