EDP and BMW inaugurate the largest passage of electric vehicles in Latin America

Wednesday 18, July 2018

The initiative, linking São Paulo to Rio de Janeiro, offers access to infrastructure for the beginning of the transformation of the transportation model in Brazil

The largest passageway with loading stations for electric cars in Latin America goes into operation next Monday, July 23, at the Presidente Dutra Highway. This is an initiative of EDP and BMW Group Brasil, with the support of the Ipiranga Stations, which will allow, for the first time, a complete trip in an electric vehicle between the capitals of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, the two most populated cities of Brazil.

The investment on the project, which installed six fast charging stations at the Ipiranga Network's fuel stations for a length of 430 kilometers, exceeded 200 thousand euros. Aiming to ensure full autonomy for electric vehicles, the stations were installed at a maximum distance of 122 kilometers, being that the estimated time to charge a vehicle with a 22kWh battery is about 25 minutes for 80% of the charge. Up to two vehicles can be charged at the same time at each station.

The chargers are located in the following cities:

  1. Guararema (SP)
  2. São José dos Campos (SP)
  3. Guaratinguetá (SP)
  4. Queluz (SP)
  5. Piraí (RJ)

The National Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL) recently approved a specific regulation for the industry, which provides for the possibility of free negotiation of recharge prices. However, in the case of the passageway installed by EDP and BMW Group Brazil, the use will be free in the first months of operation. From 2019 onwards, people will have to pay to use it.

As a leader in innovation in the energy sector, EDP was a pioneer in the creation of projects in the areas of intelligent networks, work robotization and management of solar generation distributed through blockchain technology on the Brazilian market. EDP also developed the first Smart Grids laboratory in Latin America. Electric mobility is one of the main lines of the group's strategy, with a growing investment on the network’s expansion of loading stations, also in Portugal and Spain. EDP has also committed to reach 100% of the electric fleet by 2030 and has been committed in the development of new offers and commercial solutions that promote the energy transition in the various places where it is present.