Hybrid and electric vehicles have become a common sight across Belem, Brazil, during the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30), as they have played a key role in the complex logistics plan developed for COP30, including armored units used to transport high-level officials.
The operation was made possible through partnerships that supplied almost 300 vehicles, most of them from Chinese automakers Great Wall Motors (GWM) and BYD. The head of partnerships for COP30 said feedback from users has been overwhelmingly positive.
"The plan was to go to the key automotive companies and ask them to become partners at COP, not only partners providing cars but also helping us spread this message to build a more just world in terms of the climate agenda. And we found in the Chinese brands, such as BYD and GWM, Great Wall, partners in this full agenda," said Rodrigo Ferreira, head of partnerships at COP30.
The green initiative has also reflected the growing use of electric vehicles in Belem. Andre Da Silva, a travel agency owner, bought his company's first electric vehicle about a year ago and was immediately drawn to the technology. Now, he is driving one himself and has leased several more to transport clients during COP30.
"I switched from a combustion engine car to a 100-percent electric one. And it was love at first sight, the first acceleration. And now, we're in this life with hybrids and electric cars," he said.
Hydrogen fuel-cell systems could help address one of the key challenges for electric vehicles, which are reducing the carbon footprint associated with producing the power needed to charge them.
"When you talk about electrification in the world, the hydrogen can provide on board electricity for electric vehicles, for example. When the people said hydrogen is the future, you can see here, it's not the future, it's here, you can use it," said Davi Lopes, head of hydrogen operation at GWM Brazil.
As nations renew their efforts to tackle climate change, the wide presence of electric and hybrid vehicles on the streets of Belem has offered delegates a visible reminder that these technologies can be part of the solution.
Hybrid, electric vehicles play key logistics role at COP30
