Rio de Janeiro has taken a major step toward sustainable mobility with the inauguration of its first public fast-charging station for electric and hybrid vehicles.
The station was developed by EZVolt in partnership with the city’s Sandbox.Rio program and with the support of Laneshift, a partnership C40 Cities and The Climate Pledge. The initiative strengthens Rio’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and expanding electromobility infrastructure.
Ilan Cuperstein, regional director for Latin America at C40 Cities said: “We are happy to support this historic moment for Rio de Janeiro, reinforcing our commitment to developing sustainable infrastructure and ensuring that electromobility advances efficiently and in alignment with urban needs. This partnership strengthens the transition to a cleaner and more innovative transportation model, aligned with the city’s climate goals and global best practices”.
Mayor Eduardo Paes highlighted the importance of fostering innovation in the city. “What the city government does is call on innovators: come here because we want to work with you. The city will support you, serve as a laboratory for your experience, and help make your business viable. Rio has many research and development centres, excellent universities, and people creating groundbreaking solutions. We always want to be open to those who innovate, invent, and create,” he said during the inauguration ceremony.
Rio’s Secretary of Economic Development, Osmar Lima, emphasized the importance of the Sandbox.Rio program in driving technological innovation in the city. “Electrifying our fleet is a key step in Rio’s sustainable development, and having a network of charging stations is essential. We are launching the city’s first public fast-charging station as part of Sandbox.Rio, which is designed to test new technologies and gather data. The support of initiatives like Laneshift is crucial in strengthening this platform and enabling projects like this to move forward.”
The fast-charging station, equipped with chargers with a total capacity of 500 kW and 6 parking spaces for simultaneous recharging, and operating 24/7, represents a milestone in Rio’s sustainable urban logistics strategy. By integrating innovative solutions and strengthening public-private partnerships, the city is positioning itself as a leader in electromobility in Latin America, laying the foundation for a cleaner and more efficient transport network.
