DNV has provided policy guidance and recommendations to support the expansion of electric vehicles (EVs) in the Argentinian capital city of Buenos Aires. Commissioned by the World Bank Group, DNV has delivered three comprehensive reports covering EV adoption, charging infrastructure deployment, and manufacturing assessment. These reports aim to facilitate the transition towards sustainable and low-carbon mobility in Argentina's capital city.
With minimal policy interventions, the e-mobility transition in Argentina is still in its early stages. However, the World Bank has taken a significant step by providing over $900 million in loans to electrify and upgrade two key rail lines. Such investments play a crucial role in helping countries and governments design, implement, and improve the scalability and bankability of transport electrification solutions.
Following the World Bank's comprehensive approach, DNV conducted rigorous analytical work to study the City of Buenos Aires and benchmark it against five other cities. The analysis focused on three main areas: EV adoption forecast, charging infrastructure deployment, and EV manufacturing cluster assessment.
The EV adoption forecast involved developing plausible scenarios up to 2050 to inform the setting of city-wide targets and the adoption of enabling policies for low-carbon mobility, including EVs. The charging infrastructure deployment report provided policy recommendations for the deployment of vehicle charging infrastructure, considering aspects such as energy supply, the roles of the public and private sectors, regulations, and implications for urban public space. Additionally, the EV manufacturing cluster assessment explored the potential for developing such a cluster in the city, specifically targeting small and mid-size producers of light electric vehicles and vehicle retrofitting.
“DNV’s role as advisors is pivotal in supporting organizations to navigate the energy transition, emphasizing the increase of sustainable mobility. Our contribution to Buenos Aires City project for the World Bank underlines this commitment. We provided an EV adoption forecast, insightful policy recommendations for charging infrastructure, and a strategic assessment for developing an EV manufacturing cluster, all aimed at bolstering the city’s sustainable mobility landscape” says Santiago Blanco, Executive Vice-president and Regional Director Southern Europe, Middle East, Africa and South America for Energy Systems at DNV.
The primary obstacle encountered in this project revolved around tailoring recommendations to suit the unique characteristics of a burgeoning e-mobility market. To overcome this, DNV formed a strategic partnership with Cenex (Centre of Excellence for Low Carbon and Fuel Cell technologies) and CIECTI (Centro Interdisciplinario de Estudios en Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación). This collaboration allowed DNV to offer tailor-made recommendations that align with the city's specific needs and aspirations in the field of e-mobility.
"The technical assistance provided to the Government of the City of Buenos Aires has been highly relevant, incorporating global experience and analytical expertise into policymaking. This support aligns with key objectives of climate change mitigation and transport sustainability," says Javier Morales Sarriera, Senior Economist from the Latin America and the Caribbean Transport Unit at the World Bank.
DNV's collaboration with the World Bank, Cenex, and CIECTI demonstrates its dedication to driving the adoption of EVs and advancing sustainable transportation solutions. By providing policy guidance and recommendations, DNV is playing a crucial role in supporting the expansion of electric vehicles in Buenos Aires and contributing to the city's sustainable mobility goals.
