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Webinar
Webinar series: The transition to electric mobility in Latin America and the Caribbean
12 October 2021
- Overview
- Past sessions
MOVE, a knowledge platform hosted by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), promotes the transition to electric mobility in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Since its creation in 2016, it has positioned itself as a community of practice in the provision of technical assistance, resource mobilization, capacity building, and knowledge creation on electric mobility in the region.
In September 2020, MOVE launched a series of webinars to promote the exchange of experiences and best practices among experts, public officials and the private sector in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Next session:
Interoperability in Electric Mobility
Date: 12 de octubre de 2021, 10:00 H (GMT-5)
Speaker:
- Roland Ferwerda, managing director at the Netherlands Knowledge Platform for Public Charging Infrastructure (NKL).
The interoperability of electric mobility systems between regions and countries is key to achieve an effective and integrated transition to electric mobility.
This session will present case studies of national progress in the deployment of electric mobility interoperability, with the aim of contributing to the implementation of electric transport in Latin America and the Caribbean.
This session is being held as part of the European Union's support to Chile, through the EUROCLIMA+ program, in the context of Chile’s presidency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change COP25.
Interoperability and the future of charging systems in Latin America (In Spanish)
Date: August 24, 2021, 10:00 H (GMT-5)
Speakers:
- Lised Chaves, advisor to the Regulatory and Business Affairs Office of the Ministry of Mines and Energy of Colombia.
- Virginia Echinope, manager of the Electric Power unit, National Energy Directorate, Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining of the Republic of Uruguay.
- Ignacio Rivas, advisor to the Energy Sustainability Agency of Chile.
Interoperability is essential to an effective and integrated transition to electric mobility. Beyond vehicle and charging stations compatibility, the development of interoperability comprises different stages, including the integration of public policies, business models, among others.
In this session, we will learn how Chile, Colombia and Uruguay are moving forward in the adoption and implementation of policies that promote interoperability and how these countries have created favorable conditions for new actors to join this value chain.
E-ferry Ellen, lessons learnt.
Date: 13 July, 10:00 H (GMT-5)
Speaker: Annie Kortsari, Head of Laboratory for Rail Transport Systems and Services and Research Associate at the Helenic Institute of Transport (CERTH-HIT), Greece.
The E-Ferry Ellen is a European project involving the design, building, and managing of a fully electric-powered ‘green’ ferry that can sail without producing CO2 emissions. The initiative, based in Denmark, promotes energy-efficient, zero air pollution, free waterborne transportation for island communities, coastal zones inhabitants and inland waterways in Europe and beyond.
Τhe overall objective of the E-Ferry is to apply an extremely energy-efficient design concept and demonstrate that a 100% electric medium-sized ferry can be used in a full-scale operation over long distance. In this session, we will learn about the E-Ferry, how it is being implemented and its impact.
Zero Emissions Maritime Transportation
Date: June 8, 2021, 10:00 H (GMT-5)
Speaker: Lucy Gilliam, Aviation and Shipping campaigner
This session will be devoted to zero-emissions maritime transportation, its economic and environmental impact, the opportunities it presents for the Caribbean countries and the global trends.
Maritime transportation emitted 1.056 billion tons of CO2 in 2018, accounting for about 2.89 per cent of the global total emissions of that year. Under Business-as-usual scenarios, the emissions of the sector could represent 90-130 per cent of those of 2008 by 2050. The International Maritime Organization set an objective of GHG emission reductions, including the decline of carbon intensity through the implementation of further phases of the energy efficiency design index (EEDI), for new ships. It wants to reduce CO2 emissions per transport work, as an average across international shipping, by at least 40% by 2030, pursuing efforts towards 70% by 2050, compared to 2008.
Micromobility and Last-Mile electric transportation in Latin America and the Caribbean
Date: May 11, 2021, 10:00 H (GMT-5)
Speaker: Iván de la Lanza Gámiz, urban mobility consultant
Electric micromobility and Last-Mile transportation boomed considerably in 2020. Their importance was boosted during the periods of restrictions due to COVID-19. The use of this technology became more dynamic and increased at a time when Latin American cities needed an alternative to mass transportation.
The electrification of bicycles, scooters, pedicabs, bicycle rickshaws, vans and urban delivery vehicles allow new perspectives, uses and facilities for transit in cities.
In this session we will learn about their relevance, their potential, and success stories in the region.
Electric mobility in Brazil
Date: April 27, 10:00 H (GMT-5)
Speaker: Marcus Regis, executive coordinator of PNME
This session will present the latest electric mobility practices in Brazil and the possibilities of replicating them Latin America and the Caribbean.
Brazil has years of experience in the operation of electric vehicles, and one of the key lessons learned has been the need to create instances of articulation, convergence and networking.
Brazil's National Platform for Electric Mobility (PNME) was formed in 2020 as a joint effort of important actors from government, industry, academia, and civil society to identify long-term goals.
CHAdeMO technology: developing an e-mobility charging network
Date: April 13th, 10:00 H (GMT-5)
Speakers:
- Dave Yoshida, Secretary-General CHAdeMO
- Tomoko Blech, Representative CHAdeMO Europe
The deployment of charging infrastructure is an essential precondition for a sustainable and successful transition towards zero-emission transportation.
CHAdeMO is an association made up of five automotive manufacturers in Japan, and has been working since 2010 with the aim of standardizing the fast charging of electric vehicles.
Based on the group's experience in the design and implementation of electric mobility policies and its collaborative work with public institutions, this seminar will offer practical guidance for the establishment of charging point networks and addressing e-mobility challenges.
This session is open to all e-mobility stakeholders and does not require any technical knowledge.
Opportunities for Women in the Automotive Electrical Industry
Date: March 23, 10:00 AM (GTM-5)
Panelist: Nazareth Black, CEO of Zacua
Zacua is the first Mexican brand of electric cars assembled entirely by women and made with at least 70% of locally-sourced components.
Nazareth Blac will talk about how electric mobility can bring great benefits not only in terms of reducing emissions, improving the quality of transport and generating new business opportunities, but also by creating jobs for women.
Black will also analyze different strategies to gain space within the automotive industry at all levels.
Business Models for Transportation Systems
Date: 9 March, 10:00 H (GMT-5)
Speaker: Margarita Parra, Transportation leader at Clean Energy Works
Public transport systems in Latin America and the Caribbean are characterized by the private provision of services and the public administration of infrastructure. In order to accelerate the transition towards electric mobility, several countries in the region have studied new models in order to achieve better risk management and a more favorable cost-benefit ratio. In this session, various business models will be analyzed.
Regulation of energy rates for electric mobility in Uruguay (in Spanish)
Date: 23 February, 10:00 H (GMT-5)
Speakers:
- Diego Bentancur, jefe de Movilidad Eléctrica de la Administración Nacional de Usinas y Trasmisiones Eléctricas de Uruguay (UTE)
- Jorge Caramés, jefe de Tarifas de la UTE
The growing use of electric transportation —and the need to charge vehicle batteries— will increase the demand for energy. That is why public policies that regulate electricity supply and rates will be a central element in the transition to new transportation technologies.
In Uruguay, pricing for electric vehicle charging at public locations has been developed within the framework of the Proyecto Priorizado de Redes Inteligentes, or Prioritized Smart Grid Project. In this session we will review the model proposed by the South American country, its cost structure and potential improvements for its implementation.
The transition to electric transport in the Caribbean (In English)
Date: 9 February, 10:00 H (GMT-5)
Speaker:
- Curtis Boodoo, Assistant Professor at the University of Trinidad and Tobago and chairman of the Electric Mobility Working Group at the CARICOM.
Caribbean islands have great potential for the electrification of transportation systems. Renewable energy resources are abundant, and there is little concern about battery range, as distances are shorter than in other landscapes. Also, the uptake of electric vehicles in this subregion is on the rise.
A Regional Electric Vehicle Strategy Framework is currently under development and countries are working on Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) that present commitments on clean transportation. This session will review the progress in electric mobility in the region, as well as the public and private efforts to stimulate the EV demand.
Electric Buses in Barbados (In English)
Date: 8 December 2020, 10:00 H (GMT-5)
Speaker:
- Lynda L. Holder, Chief Operation Officer of the Transport Board and the introduction of Ian W. Walcott, Barbados Ambassador to the Republic of Panama
In August 2020, Barbados deployed 33 electric buses and installed all the necessary infrastructure for these units, such as charging stations. It started a training program for drivers, technicians, emergency staff and existing partners of the Transport Board. The objective is to prepare the country for a large-scale deployment of an electric fleet. In this session, the Chief Operation Officer of the Transport Board will present this project, how it was designed and executed, as well as the vision of the institution towards the future.
Electric buses in Paraguay (In Spanish)
Date: 24 November 2020, 10:00 AM (GMT-5)
Speaker:
- José Carlos Ramírez, CEO of EV-Mobility and co-founder of E-bike City
EV-Mobility is a Paraguayan bus manufacturer that is redirecting its business model towards the production of electric vehicles for public transport. During this webinar, the company will share its experience in creating the first electric bus in Paraguay and making strategic alliances with international companies to promote technology transfer and business collaboration.
Green tourism: Monteverde project in Costa Rica (In English)
Date: 10 November 2020, 10:00 H (GMT-5).
Speaker:
- Katy VanDusen, coordinator of the Monteverde Climate Change Resilience Commission, Costa Rica.
In March 2019, the tourist hot spot of Monteverde became the first place in Costa Rica with a map of charging points for its visitors' electric vehicles. A network of 50 restaurants, hotels, attractions, and other companies was created, offering electricity to tourists that arrive in the area with electric vehicles. In this session, we will talk about the benefits and implications of this project.
Transformation of the automotive industry: the VOLT Motors case (In Spanish)
Date: 26 October 2020, 10.00 AM (GMT-5)
Speaker:
- Daniel Parodi, CEO of Volt Motors.
The value chain of electric vehicles creates new business opportunities and market niches. The COVID-19 recovery effort can be a framework to foster new production processes at the regional level, in line with local consumption initiatives. In this session, we will explore the case of the Argentine company VOLT Motors, which produces electric vehicles with a vision of regional development.
Electric mobility as a green transformation anchor (In English)
Date: 13 October 2020, 10:00 H (GMT-5).
Speaker:
- Christoph Lienemann, Managing Director for North America, PEM Motion.
Electric mobility is primarily approached as a transport service for people and freight. However, it has many complementary benefits that can support the transition to a green economy. It not only represents a new business opportunity in the utilities market, but it also creates a new value chain. In this session, PEM Motion, a German-based company, will share its perspective on how the Caribbean countries can enter the regional electric vehicle value chain and promote the electrification of the transport sector.
Battery life cycle, second life and recycling (In Spanish)
Date: 22 September 2020, 10:00 H (GMT-5).
Speakers:
- Guillermo Pereira, general manager, Fortech, Costa Rica.
- Alejandro Cometto, director, Solarlitio, Argentina.
Different business segments are creating value from the reuse or recycling of batteries used in electric vehicles. In this session, two Latin American initiatives on battery recovery will present their strategies and showcase examples of new business opportunities that could arise from the transition to electric mobility.
Transport electrification, electricity generation and grid stabilization (In English)
Date: 1 September 2020, 10:00 H (GMT-5).
Speaker:
- Sjoerd Moorman, strategic advisor and project manager at EV Consult.
The transport electrification process is strongly related to efficiency of power generation and supply. The transition to electric mobility can boost the energy demand, opening the opportunity for deploying renewable energy and creating a virtuous circle. This session will show the state-of-the-art technologies and strategies to achieve this goal.
