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In a bid to accelerate sustainable electric mobility in Brazil, BYD, backed by Berkshire Hathaway and a global leader in electric vehicle (EV) sales, has joined forces with Raízen Power, a prominent player in Brazil’s electricity sector. The strategic partnership, announced at an event in Shenzhen, China, also involves Shell, aiming to enhance the public infrastructure for EV charging across major Brazilian capitals.
The collaboration outlines ambitious initiatives, including the construction of EV charging hubs under the Shell Recharge brand in eight Brazilian capitals over the next three years. Beginning in 2024, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Curitiba, Florianópolis, Salvador, and Belém will witness the installation of these hubs, offering a high-tech recharging experience fueled by 100% clean and renewable energy.
The partnership aims to significantly expand Brazil’s public network of electric chargers by installing 600 new DC charge points, contributing an additional 18 MW of installed power to recharge electric vehicles nationwide. Furthermore, BYD drivers utilizing the Shell Recharge network will benefit from competitive energy prices and services, facilitated by Raízen Power’s expertise.
Raízen Power, a licensee of the Shell brand with an extensive network of nearly eight thousand mobility sites across Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay, aims to establish itself as a leader in the Brazilian electromobility market. The company aims for a 25% market share in the segment while also targeting a 10% market share in the free energy market and advancing its distributed generation projects.
Ricardo Mussa, CEO of Raízen, expressed the company’s commitment to democratizing access to electric mobility and renewable energy, aiming to make these solutions more accessible, affordable, and attractive to the market. The partnership with BYD aligns with this vision, offering a complete and integrated portfolio within the Shell Recharge network to support the global pursuit of a sustainable future.
For BYD, this partnership represents a strategic opportunity to expand its presence in Brazil’s burgeoning electric mobility landscape. Stella Li, Executive Vice President of BYD and CEO of BYD Americas, emphasized the importance of a robust charging infrastructure in accelerating the transition to sustainable transportation and supporting the company’s ambitious sales expansion plans.
The collaboration between BYD, Raízen Power, and Shell builds upon a previous strategic cooperation agreement signed in 2022 to enhance the charging experience for BYD’s battery electric vehicle (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) customers.
István Kapitány, Shell’s Global Executive Vice President for Mobility, highlighted the importance of collaboration in driving the electric mobility transition, emphasizing the role of industry partnerships in achieving shared goals. Shell’s existing global EV charging network, which is set to expand further, underscores the company’s commitment to making EV charging convenient and enjoyable for customers worldwide.
The partnership between BYD, Raízen Power, and Shell signifies a significant step forward in promoting sustainable electric mobility in Brazil, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change and transition to cleaner transportation solutions.
© 2024 David Mazor
Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway and BYD, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.