<article><p class="lead">Chile will ban sales of most internal combustion vehicles in favor of 100pc electric vehicles starting in 2035 as part of its pledge to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.</p><p>Energy minister Juan Carlos Jobet announced the EV target along with a plan for an energy transition bill designed to promote electric transport, <a href="https://www.argusmedia.com/en/news/2252085-chiles-green-hydrogen-tender-draws-10-projects">green hydrogen</a>, renewable energy and distributed power generation.</p><p>Under the new electric transport strategy, 100pc of sales of light and medium vehicles, public transport — including most buses and taxis — and heavy trucks — including mining trucks — will be zero emission vehicles.</p><p>In 2040, 100pc of sales of smaller trucks in the construction, agricultural and forestry sectors will be zero emissions. And in 2045, 100pc of cargo transport and inter-urban buses will be zero emissions.</p><p>Regulations including norms for vehicle engine conversions will be published for public comment in November, the energy ministry said.</p><p>Among the elements of the proposed energy transition legislation is a temporary circulation tax cut for EVs, and vehicle-to-grid norms.</p><p>According to Chile's national automotive chamber (Anac), Chileans purchased 386 zero and low-emissions vehicles in September, up by 310.6pc from the same month of 2020.</p><p class="bylines">By Patricia Garip</p></article>
