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The growth of the electrified fleet also drives security solutions, connectivity and solar energy systems.
According to experts and companies interviewed by pv magazine , 2024 will be the year of the electric vehicle and the ecosystem associated with electromobility in Brazil, opening a new growth front for companies operating in the solar generation sector. The Brazilian Electric Vehicle Association (ABVE) expects a 60% increase in registrations issued this year compared to 2023 figures – which reached 93,927 units, breaking the record of the historical series, exceeding the most optimistic forecasts and reaching the 150,000 units sold.
Sales of light electrified vehicles (plug-in hybrid+battery electric+electric hybrids) grew in all regions of the country in 2023, more than 50% compared to the previous year. The Southeast continued to lead sales growth, which increased by 101%, but the Northeast also saw significant results (91%), followed by the South (82%), the Midwest (73%), and the North (67%). .
Cumulatively, the northeast region had 11,788 license plates issued in 2023 (compared to 6,175 in 2022), indicating that electromobility has ceased to be a phenomenon of the southeastern states and is beginning to spread throughout the country. Only four states have recorded an increase in enrollment of less than 50% compared to 2022.
In an interview with pv magazine, the president of ABVE, Ricardo Bastos, stated that the market for electrified vehicles will continue at an intense pace, even with the increase in the import tax announced by the federal government starting in January. According to Bastos, the electromobility sector should benefit from the domestic manufacturing of electrified vehicles in the new factories of the Chinese giants GWM and BYD.
Reinforcement of the infrastructure of charging stations and synergy with solar energy
As the fleet of electrified vehicles grows, it is necessary to continue promoting the network of charging stations in the country. The number of public charging stations grew by 28% in Brazil between January and August of last year, according to data from ABVE/Tupinambá. In December 2022, the country had 2,955 charging points and closed 2023 with 3,800. The organizations estimate for this year is that the number of public or semi-public charging points will reach 10,000.
According to the president of ABVE, “we are seeing the network of electric poles and public fast charging points grow, as well as the infrastructure of buildings and homes with the growth of self-generation of energy, especially with solar energy systems. People ask themselves “what can I do to improve my energy consumption?” And the car is a great tool, among other things because refueling a combustion car today is not cheap,” says the executive.
The growth of the electric vehicle and charging station market creates new opportunities for the solar energy sector. Therefore, photovoltaic system integrators can take advantage of this growth, not only offering solar energy generation solutions, but also including the acquisition and installation of vehicle chargers in their service portfolio.
Voolta, spin-off of SolarVolt, an integrator specialized in photovoltaic energy in Minas Gerais, plans to double the number of vehicle chargers it sells, with a sales forecast of about 5 million reais, focusing on residential installations, EV dealerships and electrical stations . The company sees the supply of chargers as an opportunity to expand the solar systems already installed.
Another company in the segment, Ecos Energia Solar, is committed to the growth of the solar and electromobility market and is willing to extend electric vehicle charging stations throughout the country.
VoltBras, the Brazilian electric vehicle charging station management company, which carried out Brazils first electric vehicle charging in 2021, expects to more than triple its turnover this year. In its regional operations, the company is also responsible for the management of charging stations in six other Latin American countries, such as Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, Mexico, Panama and Guatemala, through a client portfolio made up of companies such as Green Yellow, EDP, Ipiranga and Multiplan.
Specialized in charging solutions for electric vehicles, NeoCharge estimates a growth of 200% until 2024 and is preparing the launch of new Wallbox chargers, suitable for managing consumption in shared areas, for example, and for fast recharging. According to its director, Rodrigo Carrau, explains that “the company was born practically next to NeoSolar, a distributor of photovoltaic solutions isolated from the grid, which, at that time, saw in the integration of photovoltaic generators and electric cars a way to improve amortization . “The savings in “refueling” of electric cars can reach almost 80% compared to combustion vehicles.”
Known throughout the country for its security cameras, condominium intercoms and other technology, communication and energy products, Intelbras electromobility unit is expected to grow 170% through 2024. Based on the results of concept tests with partners, the company hopes to launch the line of DC fast chargers this year and leverage synergy with other solutions in its product portfolio.
The company sees a real possibility of integrating other Intelbras solutions into the electric mobility offer. In a more remote region, for example, it is necessary to have a minimum of infrastructure and security and, in this case, there is a synergy with other company solutions such as sensors, cameras, connectivity access, payment systems, among others, to guarantee the correct management of these charging stations.
National manufacturing must accelerate electric mobility
Brazil has the sixth largest automobile fleet and one of the cleanest energy matrices on the planet, which makes local manufacturing of electric cars even more strategic for Chinese manufacturers. GWM and BYD, specialized in electric cars, have already announced their plans to open two factories this year, seeking tax exemption and with a focus on exports to Latin America.
The first of the Chinese factories to start will be GWM, in Iracemápolis (SP). The plant belonged to Mercedes-Benz and is being adapted at a cost of 4,000 million reais. The idea is to start production of an electrified SUV from the Haval range at the end of this year.
BYD, for its part, is investing more than 3 billion reais (610 million dollars) in a manufacturing complex in Camaçari (BA), where a Ford factory closed in 2021. Planned to come into operation in the second half of this year year, the assembly line is preparing to produce 150,000 cars per year in the first phase, which could reach 300,000 units. It is expected to create 10,000 direct and indirect jobs, double the initial forecast. The automaker will produce the BYD Dolphin and Yuan Plus electric models and the Song Plus plug-in hybrid. Other models could also be manufactured depending on the interest of the Brazilian market.
Also in the companys plans is the offer of photovoltaic modules, manufactured in Campinas (SP), at dealerships, creating a complete ecosystem with sunlight generating the energy to power the electric vehicle.
According to Bastos, from ABVE, “local manufacturing sends a very strong message that helps convince the consumer, who understands that electrified technology is real and will be produced here in Brazil, with all the local support and guarantee,” explains Bastos. |
