A New Initiative to Electrify Public Transport Launched in Costa Rica

“For Costa Rica it is fundamental to generate a transformational change in transportation, to not only reduce emissions but also air and noise pollution in our cities. We hope to gain experiences for the electrification of other public transport modalities such as taxis and train.” Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, Minister of Environment and Energy

At the Environmental Fare of Costa Rica an initiative to electrify public transport was launched “Iniciativa país para la electrificación del transporte público“. As part of the initiative, the strategic partners are developing a demonstration project. It covers the introduction of three electric buses as well as the development of the required conditions for a large-scale electrification of public transport: analyzing routes vs. bus technology, charging infrastructure, electricity and bus tariffs, financing models, environmental management, training, impact monitoring and others.

Funding will be provided by the German government and the Costa Rica – United States Foundation for Cooperation (CRUSA). The alliance was endorsed by the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE), the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MOPT), GIZ, CRUSA, UN Environment, regulation authority ARESEP, national energy company ICE Group, bus operator associations, NGOs (Costa Rica Limpia, E-Mobility Association ASOMOVE) as well as multilateral and local banks (IDB, PROMERICA).

Contact: claus.kruse@giz.de