BYD and Shell’s Raízen Power to expand EV charging network in Brazil

Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer BYD and Raízen Power, a subsidiary of Shell, have unveiled a strategic partnership to strengthen the EV charging infrastructure in Brazil. The collaboration was announced during a ceremony in Shenzhen, outlining plans to establish BYD-Raízen Power EV charging centers in eight major Brazilian cities over the next three years.

Raízen Power, a joint venture between Shell and Cosan, operates as an energy company in Brazil, specializing in biofuels, logistics, and electric mobility solutions. The company’s expertise positions it as a key player in the transition toward sustainable transportation solutions.

The selected cities for the expansion of the EV charging network include São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Brasília, Curitiba, Florianópolis, Salvador, and Belém. The objective is to install 600 new direct current (DC) charging stations, enhancing the total installed capacity by 18 megawatts to develop an effective charging infrastructure system.

Stella Li, BYD’s Executive Vice President and President of the Americas Region, emphasized the importance of constructing extensive and functional high-quality charging infrastructure to support the continual development of the EV industry. One notable aspect of the partnership is the exclusive benefits offered to BYD vehicle owners in Brazil. It is to provide more affordable charging services at BYD-Raízen Power EV charging centers. BYD sold nearly 18,000 cars in Brazil in 2023 expanding its electric car business to 45 major cities last year. BYD became Brazil’s biggest EV brand.

Also, BYD intends to invest approximately 4.5 billion Chinese Yuan to build its first electric vehicle factory outside of Asia in Bahia, Brazil. The facility will include three factories for electric buses, truck chassis, passenger vehicles, and lithium iron phosphate battery materials. BYD is currently in negotiations to acquire Brazilian lithium producer Sigma Lithium. Additionally, BYD plans to introduce the YangWang U8 EREV SUV to the Brazilian market this year. The collaboration with the local power company represents just one facet of BYD’s rapid growth in Brazil.

Ricardo Mussa, Raízen Power’s Chief Operating Officer, expressed the desire to introduce electric vehicles and renewable energy solutions in a more accessible and cost-effective manner. Aiming to stimulate market vitality and encourage sustainable transportation solutions in Brazil.

István Kapitány, Shell Mobility’s Global Executive Vice President, stressed the collaborative nature of the venture. Highlighting that the advancement of electric vehicles requires collaborative efforts from industry stakeholders, governmental bodies, and consumers.

This collaboration extends the strategic partnership initiated between BYD and Shell in 2022.
In September 2023, they launched the world’s largest electric vehicle charging network in Shenzhen, China, which included 258 fast-charging stations.

Source: D1EV