If there’s one segment where electromobility stands out in Latin America, it’s in electric buses.

With a total of 6,057 electric units in circulation, the market is led by a variety of manufacturers competing for space in the region.

Here, Mobility Portal Latinoamérica analyzes the key players driving the shift towards electric public transportation.

BYD

The Chinese manufacturer leads the pack with 2,606 units, which represents 43% of the total electric buses in Latin America, according to E-BUS RADAR.

Its success is largely due to its strategic focus on countries like Colombia, Chile, and Brazil, where it has formed partnerships with operators and local governments to facilitate the integration of its vehicles.

In Colombia, for example, the brand played a pivotal role in the electrification of the fleets in Bogotá, one of the cities with the largest deployment of electric buses on the continent.

Among its most recent initiatives is the TransMilenio public transportation system, which launched a tender to incorporate 296 zero-emission and low-emission buses, with at least 156 expected to be electric. This project, representing an investment of over $244 million, could position Bogotá as one of the cities with the largest fleet of electric buses in Latin America.

An interesting fact is that in the past two years, only six units of BYD’s buses have been sold, but the company plans to participate in this bidding process.

According to reports, the Chinese company has conducted tests with its articulated and bi-articulated buses, including routes from Bogotá to Medellín and various routes in the Sabana.

Foton

With 1,404 units, Foton ranks as the second-largest manufacturer in the region.

Chile is where it holds the most significant presence, with 1,380 electric buses, while the rest are in Guatemala.

It’s worth noting that, currently, Chile has over 2,300 low-emission buses in circulation, making it the Latin American city with the largest fleet of electric buses outside of China.

Other Key Players in Electric Buses: Yutong and Eletra

Yutong Bus, another Chinese giant, holds third place with 890 units. Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico are the countries where its buses operate.

In Mexico, they have 535 units in operation, making it the leading country for Yutong in the region.

Meanwhile, Eletra, a regional player based in Brazil, operates 477 electric buses, making it a unique case of a local manufacturer competing with international giants.

The Emerging Players: King Long, Zhongtong, and Other Manufacturers

Manufacturers like King Long and Zhongtong Bus have 72 and 70 units respectively.

King Long operates only in Chile, with standard and midi battery buses, while Zhongtong operates across Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Ecuador.

Their strategy seems to focus on offering economical options that can be easily integrated by operators with less investment capacity.

Meanwhile, other manufacturers like Sunwin, with 64 units, and Mercedes-Benz, with 62, are expanding their presence in key markets. The Chinese automaker is finding opportunities in Colombia and Mexico, while Mercedes-Benz focuses on consolidating its market share in Brazil.

Additional Players

In addition to the market leaders, manufacturers such as Powertronics, Dina, and Higer Bus Company have a total of 369 units in operation.

Powertronics, based in Mexico, develops solutions tailored to local public transportation, focusing on electric units and charging systems.

Meanwhile, Dina, also Mexican, continues to integrate electric technology into its models.

Higer Bus Company, based in China, strengthens the Asian presence in the region with vehicles designed for urban routes.