This Thursday – October 16 – production began at the first electric bus plant in Colombia, a private initiative that is in line with the National Government’s commitment to move towards a decarbonized, sustainable, inclusive and knowledge-based economy.
The opening event was attended by President Gustavo Petro, the Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Diana Marcela Morales Rojas, representatives of the alliance between the Japanese HINO, the Chinese BYD and the Colombian Superpolo.
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For the president, this system promotes change in mobility that must be adopted in cars, motorcycles, buses and even electric trainsand that must be complemented with the use of electrical energy at home. “This is called change. For the better, if we achieve it because it is synonymous with life“said the president.
To promote this initiative, by instruction of President Petro and under the leadership of Minister Morales, the Mincomercio is working on the draft decree through which new tariff rules will be proposed for the import of electric buses. As soon as it is defined, it will be published for comments from the automotive sector and citizens in general.
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“Through future periods we want that, in the following years, going forward, A key item in the nation’s general budget is guaranteed so that cities that have mass transportation systems can replace gasoline buses. or diesel for electric vehicles“said the president.
Electric buses assembled in Colombia
Mincomercio
Now, it is estimated that, with the different instruments, the production of approximately 200 buses, 100% electric, will be promoted in that plant between November 2025 and June 2026.
“The assembly of electric buses in Colombia becomes an opportunity for the automotive industry to develop goods with greater added value, more technology and innovation, and also contributes to the objective of the energy transition“said Minister Morales Rojas.
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And he added: “We comply with dignity, because we will put Colombia as a reference in the region since it will be the first country to assemble chassis for electric buses. and in producing export-type bodies, which will allow it to take advantage of the potential markets for this type of vehicles in Latin America and the Caribbean. It is a productive sector with enormous opportunities”.
It is worth remembering that, since the beginning of the Petro government, public policy instruments have been developed to strengthen the national automotive industry, key in the reindustrialization process. This is the case of the Tariff Instrument for Automotive Improvement and Road Safety. (IAMAS), which allows companies that manufacture or assemble vehicles in Colombia and that meet a series of production and investment requirements to import automobiles without tariffs.
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Likewise, there is the Tariff Instrument for the Improvement of Auto Parts IAMA (auto parts), as well as the new regulations of the Tax Refund Certificate (Cert). Generating an environment conducive to attracting foreign investment that allows the development of far-reaching projects in the country and that also generate jobs.
VALENTINA DELGADILLO ABELLO
Portfolio Journalist
