The firm, which entered the business in 2020 with a terminal in Maipú, will be in charge of 60% of the RM's buses.
One of Empresas Copec's strategies to grow in the electromobility market has been its strong entry into the public transport system of the Metropolitan Region (RM). Thus, hand in hand with the former Transantiago, now RED, the firm has just reached an agreement to energize and build almost all of the terminals associated with the latest tender promoted by the Government. Together with operators STP and Metropol, Copec will build 10 of the 13 new electric terminals and will supply the energy for 80% of the new fleet.
These new electro-terminals will feature 197 Copec Voltex fast chargers, making the company the largest provider of energy for electric buses in Chile. Copec's Development and Management Manager, Leonardo Ljubetic, announced that the new terminals and electric fleet will enter operation in June 2022, with 1,700 electric buses for public transport. "To the 215 buses put into service in 2020, we will add another 800, just in the Metropolitan Region. In total, we are going to energize more than 1,000 electric buses in Greater Santiago, that is, nearly 60% of transport of this type in the entire region," the executive explained.
Another characteristic of the initiative promoted by the company has to do with the fact that the electricity supply for the buses will be 100% renewable and efficient for supply. These are certified solar, wind, solar thermal, and hydroelectric sources. "Today, the company has a platform for creating new businesses and innovation, which, in addition to allowing us to interact with companies and startups that are changing the way things are done, gives us access to bring the world's best technology and innovation to Chile," said Ljubetic. However, this is nothing new for Copec, as in 2020 they were awarded the tender for the El Conquistador electro-terminal in Maipú, together with STP, which includes everything this operation entails, from the design of the terminal and its construction to the implementation of technology in the complete service of charging management, maintenance, and renewable energy supply.
The new development considers an investment of US$ 30 million. "Electromobility is already a reality and is a relevant part of the offer we are delivering in the public, commercial, industrial, and residential transport segments, to promote an energy transition towards renewable and environmentally friendly energies. This is in addition to our investments in different projects for distributed solar generation, intelligent energy storage, and energy efficiency, among others," added Ljubetic.
Originally published in El Mercurio
