E-bus Procurement Observatory (LAC)

Procurements

Comparative matrix

Context & identification

Country
#SP
Brazil
#603
México
#441
Brazil
#204
Chile
#201
Chile
City / Region
#SP
São Paulo
#603
Mexico City
#441
São José dos Campos
#204
Santiago
#201
Santiago
Procurement title
#SP
Concession of passenger transport services*
#603
Acquisition of new trolleybuses, 12 meters long
#441
Leasing of electric passenger transport vehicles (without driver)
#204
Public Tender for Complementary Bus Supply Service
#201
Concession for the use of routes – units 20–22
City region population
#SP
11 million*
#603
9 to 10 million
#441
500k to 1 million
#204
7 to 8 million
#201
7 to 8 million
Procurement type
#SP
Concession
#603
Fleet purchase
#441
Fleet leasing
#204
Fleet provision
#201
Operation
Business model typology
#SP
Fully private operation
#603
Fully public operator
#441
Public ownership, private operation
#204
Dual private actor
#201
Dual private actor
Year
#SP
2019
#603
2025
#441
2024
#204
2019
#201
2025
Issuing authority
#SP
São Paulo Transporte S/A
#603
Servicio de Transportes Eléctricos (STE)
#441
Urbanizadora Municipal S.A. (Urbam)
#204
DTPM + Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications
#201
DTPM + Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications
Contract duration
#SP
20 years
#603
#441
15 years
#204
14 years
#201
10 years
Contract duration (observation)
#SP
#603
One-off procurement (no service contract)
#441
#204
10 years for diesel vehicles
#201
7–14 years depending on performance
Language
#SP
Portuguese
#603
Spanish
#441
Portuguese
#204
Spanish
#201
Spanish
Unique record identifier of procurement ID
#SP
#603 #441 #204 #201
Country name Country
Brazil
México
Brazil
Chile
Chile
City or metropolitan region where the procurement process applies. City / Region
São Paulo
Mexico City
São José dos Campos
Santiago
Santiago
Official title of the procurement process. Procurement title
Concession of passenger transport services*
Acquisition of new trolleybuses, 12 meters long
Leasing of electric passenger transport vehicles (without driver)
Public Tender for Complementary Bus Supply Service
Concession for the use of routes – units 20–22
Estimated population range of the city or metropolitan region in 2024. Source: https://citypopulation.de/ City region population
11 million*
9 to 10 million
500k to 1 million
7 to 8 million
7 to 8 million
Procurement type: (1) operation; (2) fleet provision; (3) fleet acquisiton Procurement type
Concession
Fleet purchase
Fleet leasing
Fleet provision
Operation
Business model: (1) single private operator; (2) dual private actor; (3) public ownership, private operation; (4) fully public operator Business model typology
Fully private operation
Fully public operator
Public ownership, private operation
Dual private actor
Dual private actor
Publication year of the procurement process Year
2019
2025
2024
2019
2025
Institution responsible for issuing the procurement process. Issuing authority
São Paulo Transporte S/A
Servicio de Transportes Eléctricos (STE)
Urbanizadora Municipal S.A. (Urbam)
DTPM + Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications
DTPM + Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications
Contract duration (years) Contract duration
20 years
15 years
14 years
10 years
Additional notes about contract duration (e.g., extension clauses, performance conditions). Contract duration (observation)
One-off procurement (no service contract)
10 years for diesel vehicles
7–14 years depending on performance
Language in which the procurement documents are available. Language
Portuguese
Spanish
Portuguese
Spanish
Spanish

Governance

Country
#SP
Brazil
#603
México
#441
Brazil
#204
Chile
#201
Chile
City / Region
#SP
São Paulo
#603
Mexico City
#441
São José dos Campos
#204
Santiago
#201
Santiago
Fleet provision
#SP
Private operator
#603
Public authority
#441
Private fleet leaser, public ownership
#204
Private fleet provider
#201
Private fleet provider (leasing option allowed)
Operation
#SP
Private operator
#603
Public operator (STE)
#441
Private operator
#204
Private operator
#201
Private operator
Charging infrastructure
#SP
Private asset provider (i.e., energy as a service provider) installs under public financing
#603
Charging infrastructure (for trolleybuses) is installed and maintained by the public authority
#441
Charging infrastructure is installed and maintained by the public authority
#204
Fleet provider installs; upgrades possible (system-financed)
#201
Fleet provider installs; upgrades possible (system-financed)
Terminal and depot
#SP
Private operator owns terminals and depots
#603
Public authority
#441
Unspecified
#204
Provided by DTPM
#201
Provided by DTPM; upgrades may be proposed and financed by the system
Maintenance
#SP
Operator responsible under fleet provider supervision
#603
Public authority
#441
Fleet leaser is responsible for fleet maintenance
#204
Same
#201
Operator responsible under fleet provider supervision
Functional role distribution*
#SP
Fully integrated private model (private operator procures, owns and operates fleet)
#603
Fully integrated public model (public authority procures, owns and operates fleet)
#441
Unbundled model
#204
Unbundled model (fleet provider, operator and authority with distinct roles)
#201
Unbundled model (fleet provider, operator and authority with distinct roles)
Electrification trajectory design*
#SP
Fully integrated private model (private operator procures, owns and operates fleet)
#603
Fully integrated public model (public authority procures, owns and operates fleet)
#441
Unbundled model
#204
Unbundled model (fleet provider, operator and authority with distinct roles)
#201
Unbundled model (fleet provider, operator and authority with distinct roles)
Unique record identifier of procurement ID
#SP
#603 #441 #204 #201
Country name Country
Brazil
México
Brazil
Chile
Chile
City or metropolitan region where the procurement process applies. City / Region
São Paulo
Mexico City
São José dos Campos
Santiago
Santiago
Entity responsible for provision of bus fleet Fleet provision
Private operator
Public authority
Private fleet leaser, public ownership
Private fleet provider
Private fleet provider (leasing option allowed)
Entity responsible for operating public transport services. Operation
Private operator
Public operator (STE)
Private operator
Private operator
Private operator
Entity responsible for charging infrastructure deployment and operation. Charging infrastructure
Private asset provider (i.e., energy as a service provider) installs under public financing
Charging infrastructure (for trolleybuses) is installed and maintained by the public authority
Charging infrastructure is installed and maintained by the public authority
Fleet provider installs; upgrades possible (system-financed)
Fleet provider installs; upgrades possible (system-financed)
Entity responsible for terminals and depots (ownership, upgrades, or operation). Terminal and depot
Private operator owns terminals and depots
Public authority
Unspecified
Provided by DTPM
Provided by DTPM; upgrades may be proposed and financed by the system
Entity responsible for fleet maintenance. Maintenance
Operator responsible under fleet provider supervision
Public authority
Fleet leaser is responsible for fleet maintenance
Same
Operator responsible under fleet provider supervision
Distribution of functional responsibilities among actors involved in the model. Functional role distribution*
Fully integrated private model (private operator procures, owns and operates fleet)
Fully integrated public model (public authority procures, owns and operates fleet)
Unbundled model
Unbundled model (fleet provider, operator and authority with distinct roles)
Unbundled model (fleet provider, operator and authority with distinct roles)
How electrification is phased or structured over time in the procurement design. Electrification trajectory design*
Fully integrated private model (private operator procures, owns and operates fleet)
Fully integrated public model (public authority procures, owns and operates fleet)
Unbundled model
Unbundled model (fleet provider, operator and authority with distinct roles)
Unbundled model (fleet provider, operator and authority with distinct roles)

CAPEX Structure

Country
#SP
Brazil
#603
México
#441
Brazil
#204
Chile
#201
Chile
City / Region
#SP
São Paulo
#603
Mexico City
#441
São José dos Campos
#204
Santiago
#201
Santiago
Minimum fleet size specifications
#SP
Not publicly available
#603
19 vehicles: 12m, >85 passengers
#441
164 vehicles: 12–14m, 70 passengers; 212 vehicles: 12.5–15m, 80 passengers; 24 vehicles: >18m, articulated, 120 passengers
#204
300 / 1,370 / 360 vehicles by size
#201
3 size categories (8–11m; 11–14m; 14–18m)
Electric requirement
#SP
#603
#441
All vehicles must be electric
#204
#201
Warranty requirements
#SP
Not publicly available
#603
1 year for vehicle; 8 years for battery; other components vary
#441
Bid-defined warranty
#204
Not publicly disclosed
#201
Not applicable (operation contract)
CAPEX payment or revenue source
#SP
Private operator, but SPTrans subsidizes a percentage equivalent to the difference in value between a diesel bus and an electric bus.
#603
Public budget (government-funded procurement)
#441
Public remuneration per: vehicle leasing; vehicle maintenance
#204
Public remuneration per: vehicle acquisition; maintenance compliance certification
#201
System-financed through fleet provision contract
CAPEX payment or revenue values
#SP
Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 9.1% on invested capital*
#603
Not publicly available
#441
Monthly rental cost per vehicle: Category A – BRL 31,874.52 (≈ USD 5,897.02); Category B – BRL 37,657.45 (≈ USD 6,966.90); Category C – BRL 56,018.98 (≈ USD 10,363.91). (Exchange rate as of 01 Oct 2025)
#204
Unspecified; defined by bidders as part of their economic proposal. Electric buses are paid in 168 monthly installments, and diesel buses in 120. Number of installments determines contract duration
#201
Not publicly available
Asset residual value risk allocation*
#SP
Private fleet provider (inferred)
#603
Public
#441
Leasing company (inferred)
#204
Private fleet provider (inferred)
#201
Private fleet provider (inferred)
Battery degradation risk allocation*
#SP
Private fleet provider (inferred)
#603
Manufacturer / public authority (shared)
#441
Leasing company (inferred)
#204
Private fleet provider (inferred)
#201
Private fleet provider (inferred)
Source of financing*
#SP
Shared (private and public)
#603
Public
#441
Public authority (inferred)
#204
Operator (inferred)
#201
Operator (inferred)
Currency exposure structure*
#SP
Not specified (likely local currency – R$/BRL)
#603
Not specified (likely local currency – MXN)
#441
Not publicly available
#204
Not publicly available
#201
Not publicly available
Unique record identifier of procurement ID
#SP
#603 #441 #204 #201
Country name Country
Brazil
México
Brazil
Chile
Chile
City or metropolitan region where the procurement process applies. City / Region
São Paulo
Mexico City
São José dos Campos
Santiago
Santiago
Minimum fleet size and key vehicle specification requirements described in the procurement. Minimum fleet size specifications
Not publicly available
19 vehicles: 12m, >85 passengers
164 vehicles: 12–14m, 70 passengers; 212 vehicles: 12.5–15m, 80 passengers; 24 vehicles: >18m, articulated, 120 passengers
300 / 1,370 / 360 vehicles by size
3 size categories (8–11m; 11–14m; 14–18m)
How the procurement defines or requires the inclusion of electric vehicles (e.g., percentage of total fleet, categories affected) Electric requirement
All vehicles must be electric
Warranty requirements for vehicles, batteries, or systems when disclosed. Warranty requirements
Not publicly available
1 year for vehicle; 8 years for battery; other components vary
Bid-defined warranty
Not publicly disclosed
Not applicable (operation contract)
Main source of CAPEX payment or revenue in the contractual arrangement. CAPEX payment or revenue source
Private operator, but SPTrans subsidizes a percentage equivalent to the difference in value between a diesel bus and an electric bus.
Public budget (government-funded procurement)
Public remuneration per: vehicle leasing; vehicle maintenance
Public remuneration per: vehicle acquisition; maintenance compliance certification
System-financed through fleet provision contract
CAPEX payment or revenue values and units disclosed in the procurement. CAPEX payment or revenue values
Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 9.1% on invested capital*
Not publicly available
Monthly rental cost per vehicle: Category A – BRL 31,874.52 (≈ USD 5,897.02); Category B – BRL 37,657.45 (≈ USD 6,966.90); Category C – BRL 56,018.98 (≈ USD 10,363.91). (Exchange rate as of 01 Oct 2025)
Unspecified; defined by bidders as part of their economic proposal. Electric buses are paid in 168 monthly installments, and diesel buses in 120. Number of installments determines contract duration
Not publicly available
How residual value risk of assets is allocated among stakeholders. Asset residual value risk allocation*
Private fleet provider (inferred)
Public
Leasing company (inferred)
Private fleet provider (inferred)
Private fleet provider (inferred)
How battery degradation risk is allocated among stakeholders. Battery degradation risk allocation*
Private fleet provider (inferred)
Manufacturer / public authority (shared)
Leasing company (inferred)
Private fleet provider (inferred)
Private fleet provider (inferred)
Primary source of financing for the fleet or infrastructure investments. Source of financing*
Shared (private and public)
Public
Public authority (inferred)
Operator (inferred)
Operator (inferred)
Currency denomination and risk-sharing structure for payments or contracts. Currency exposure structure*
Not specified (likely local currency – R$/BRL)
Not specified (likely local currency – MXN)
Not publicly available
Not publicly available
Not publicly available

OPEX & Operational Structure

Country
#SP
Brazil
#603
México
#441
Brazil
#204
Chile
#201
Chile
City / Region
#SP
São Paulo
#603
Mexico City
#441
São José dos Campos
#204
Santiago
#201
Santiago
OPEX payment or revenue source
#SP
Public payment (gross cost contract – operator paid per km, revenue centrally collected)
#603
Public remuneration per: vehicle acquisition
#441
Public remuneration per: vehicle maintenance
#204
Not applicable
#201
Payment per km operated (system)
OPEX payment or revenue values
#SP
Defined as R$/km (remuneration fare), periodically adjusted; varies by fleet type and cost structure
#603
Unspecified; defined by bidders as part of their economic proposal; final cost of procurement not yet disclosed
#441
Monthly maintenance cost per vehicle: Category A – BRL 4,462.43 (≈ USD 825.58); Category B – BRL 4,895.47 (≈ USD 905.70); Category C – BRL 6,722.28 (≈ USD 1,243.67). (Exchange rate as of 01 Oct 2025)
#204
Unspecified; defined by bidders as part of their economic proposal. Electric buses are paid in 168 monthly installments, and diesel buses in 120. Number of installments determines contract duration
#201
Maximum reference remuneration of CLP 2,350 (≈ USD 2.47, as of 01 Oct 2025) per km operated by diesel buses and CLP 1,850 (≈ USD 1.94) per km by electric buses; fixed remuneration of CLP 200 (≈ USD 0.21) per passenger transported
Air conditioning requirement
#SP
Required (inferred)
#603
Not required
#441
Required
#204
Recommended
#201
Required for new buses
Battery charging specifications
#SP
Not publicly available
#603
Minimum autonomy of 70 kilometers
#441
Minimum autonomy of 220 kilometers for Category A, 210 kilometers for Category B, and 200 kilometers for Category C vehicles
#204
215 km / 50 km; 5h / 9 min
#201
200 km / 50 km; 3h / 9 min
Energy price risk allocation*
#SP
Operator bears energy price risk (inferred)
#603
Public authority (as operator and energy purchaser)
#441
Not publicly available
#204
Operator bears energy price risk (not explicitly specified; inferred from model structure)
#201
Operator bears energy price risk (not explicitly specified; inferred from model structure)
Charging model type*
#SP
Energy-as-a-service model: a private provider installs and operates charging infrastructure in operator depots, with service payments structured under public financing mechanisms.
#603
Not publicly disclosed
#441
Not publicly available
#204
Operator / supplier-led charging model (infrastructure proposed by bidders and installed in public terminals; compensated via dedicated payment component)
#201
Fleet provider-led charging model (infrastructure installed by fleet provider; system may finance upgrades)
Unique record identifier of procurement ID
#SP
#603 #441 #204 #201
Country name Country
Brazil
México
Brazil
Chile
Chile
City or metropolitan region where the procurement process applies. City / Region
São Paulo
Mexico City
São José dos Campos
Santiago
Santiago
Main source of OPEX payment or revenue in the contractual arrangement. OPEX payment or revenue source
Public payment (gross cost contract – operator paid per km, revenue centrally collected)
Public remuneration per: vehicle acquisition
Public remuneration per: vehicle maintenance
Not applicable
Payment per km operated (system)
OPEX payment or revenue values and units disclosed in the procurement. OPEX payment or revenue values
Defined as R$/km (remuneration fare), periodically adjusted; varies by fleet type and cost structure
Unspecified; defined by bidders as part of their economic proposal; final cost of procurement not yet disclosed
Monthly maintenance cost per vehicle: Category A – BRL 4,462.43 (≈ USD 825.58); Category B – BRL 4,895.47 (≈ USD 905.70); Category C – BRL 6,722.28 (≈ USD 1,243.67). (Exchange rate as of 01 Oct 2025)
Unspecified; defined by bidders as part of their economic proposal. Electric buses are paid in 168 monthly installments, and diesel buses in 120. Number of installments determines contract duration
Maximum reference remuneration of CLP 2,350 (≈ USD 2.47, as of 01 Oct 2025) per km operated by diesel buses and CLP 1,850 (≈ USD 1.94) per km by electric buses; fixed remuneration of CLP 200 (≈ USD 0.21) per passenger transported
Requirement for air conditioning in the vehicles, if specified Air conditioning requirement
Required (inferred)
Not required
Required
Recommended
Required for new buses
Minimum technical requirements for batteries and charging systems: autonomy, charging time, and charging type (slow, opportunity) Battery charging specifications
Not publicly available
Minimum autonomy of 70 kilometers
Minimum autonomy of 220 kilometers for Category A, 210 kilometers for Category B, and 200 kilometers for Category C vehicles
215 km / 50 km; 5h / 9 min
200 km / 50 km; 3h / 9 min
How energy price risk is allocated among stakeholders. Energy price risk allocation*
Operator bears energy price risk (inferred)
Public authority (as operator and energy purchaser)
Not publicly available
Operator bears energy price risk (not explicitly specified; inferred from model structure)
Operator bears energy price risk (not explicitly specified; inferred from model structure)
Charging model adopted in the procurement (e.g., depot charging, opportunity charging). Charging model type*
Energy-as-a-service model: a private provider installs and operates charging infrastructure in operator depots, with service payments structured under public financing mechanisms.
Not publicly disclosed
Not publicly available
Operator / supplier-led charging model (infrastructure proposed by bidders and installed in public terminals; compensated via dedicated payment component)
Fleet provider-led charging model (infrastructure installed by fleet provider; system may finance upgrades)
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