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Diffusion of new automotive technologies for improving energy efficiency in Brazil's light vehicle fleet

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  • Bastin, Cristina
  • Szklo, Alexandre
  • Rosa, Luiz Pinguelli

Abstract

Historically, Brazil has promoted the development and sales of light duty vehicles running on ethanol (firstly, ethanol-dedicated cars, and recently flexfuel cars). In the 1990s, the country also favored the sales of compact cars to middle and low-income classes. However, in the last years, the profile of vehicles sold in Brazil has converged towards larger and less-efficient vehicles. In 2008, Brazil launched the vehicle labeling program. Based on the outcomes of the historical programs oriented towards the development of automotive innovations, and on a survey conducted with the country's main auto makers, this article evaluates whether the vehicle labeling program will both improve the energy efficiency of light vehicles, and introduce new technologies. Our results indicate that, despite its virtuous intentions, the program will not control the tendency of rising fuel consumption of passenger cars sold in Brazil. Therefore, other policies are needed to boost innovations in Brazil's automotive industry.

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  • Bastin, Cristina & Szklo, Alexandre & Rosa, Luiz Pinguelli, 2010. "Diffusion of new automotive technologies for improving energy efficiency in Brazil's light vehicle fleet," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(7), pages 3586-3597, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:38:y:2010:i:7:p:3586-3597
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    1. Schmitt, William F. & Szklo, Alexandre & Schaeffer, Roberto, 2011. "Policies for improving the efficiency of the Brazilian light-duty vehicle fleet and their implications for fuel use, greenhouse gas emissions and land use," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 39(6), pages 3163-3176, June.
    2. de Salvo Junior, Orlando & Saraiva de Souza, Maria Tereza & Vaz de Almeida, Flávio G., 2021. "Implementation of new technologies for reducing fuel consumption of automobiles in Brazil according to the Brazilian Vehicle Labelling Programme," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 233(C).
    3. Fan, Xia & Li, Chuanju, 2025. "“To be unfolding” or “be on its last legs”—Preferential tax policies between supply and demand and the development of the new energy vehicle industry based on an ABM model," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    4. Brito, Thiago Luis Felipe & Islam, Towhidul & Stettler, Marc & Mouette, Dominique & Meade, Nigel & Moutinho dos Santos, Edmilson, 2019. "Transitions between technological generations of alternative fuel vehicles in Brazil," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    5. Chao Bi & Jingjing Zeng & Wanli Zhang & Yonglin Wen, 2020. "Modelling the Coevolution of the Fuel Ethanol Industry, Technology System, and Market System in China: A History-Friendly Model," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-26, February.
    6. Salvo, Orlando de & Vaz de Almeida, Flávio G., 2019. "Influence of technologies on energy efficiency results of official Brazilian tests of vehicle energy consumption," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 241(C), pages 98-112.
    7. Rafael Fernandes Mosquim & Carlos Eduardo Keutenedjian Mady, 2022. "Performance and Efficiency Trade-Offs in Brazilian Passenger Vehicle Fleet," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-22, July.
    8. Glyniadakis, Sofia & Balestieri, José Antônio Perrella, 2023. "Brazilian light vehicle fleet decarbonization scenarios for 2050," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).
    9. Caroline Rodrigues Vaz & Tania Regina Shoeninger Rauen & Álvaro Guillermo Rojas Lezana, 2017. "Sustainability and Innovation in the Automotive Sector: A Structured Content Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-23, May.
    10. Augustus De Melo, Conrado & De Martino Jannuzzi, Gilberto & De Mello Santana, Paulo Henrique, 2018. "Why should Brazil to implement mandatory fuel economy standards for the light vehicle fleet?," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P1), pages 1166-1174.
    11. Atabani, A.E. & Badruddin, Irfan Anjum & Mekhilef, S. & Silitonga, A.S., 2011. "A review on global fuel economy standards, labels and technologies in the transportation sector," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 15(9), pages 4586-4610.

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