ENGIE, the leading renewable energy company in Brazil, has partnered with Aena, the world’s largest airport operator, and Higer, the world’s leading maker of electric buses, to carry out trials for a new transportation model that may be implemented in airports nationwide. According to the model, ENGIE will be responsible for project planning and management, enabling the transition from vehicles running on fossil fuels to electric ones using renewable sources, making the investment and providing the fleet’s charging infrastructure.

Starting this week, passengers at the Aena-managed Congonhas Airport will have access to additional comfort, technology and safety when they use remote boarding or unboarding with the new vehicle. The terminal is testing the electric bus HIGER Azure A12BR, which is 100-percent electric, with no CO2 emissions or noise production. The goal is to use the vehicle for in-airport passenger transportation, replacing fossil fuel-burning buses and thereby reducing atmospheric carbon emissions. The Azure A12BR has 270km in autonomy and is entirely battery bowered, with up to 3 hours’ charging time.

As a global reference in low-carbon services, ENGIE offers sustainable solutions to companies and cities in across the country. The partnership with Aena, which is the concession holder for 17 airports in Brazil, aligns with the company’s objective of reaching Net Zero Carbon by 2045.

“Reducing energy consumption and emissions is in line with ENGIE’s purpose of acting to accelerate the transition to a carbon-neutral world. In addition, we help companies become more sustainable and efficient, optimizing their electric energy costs,” said Jacques-Olivier Klotz, CEO of ENGIE Soluções.

Aena Brasil is currently investing in structural works at the airports that it manages to make them more efficient. For Aena Brasil’s Chief infrastructure, Operations and IT Officer, Raul Moya, the Aena-ENGIE partnership is another important step in connection with the ESG agenda pledge to make the airport a more sustainable space, reducing carbon emissions even as it makes passengers more comfortable. “Aena’s objective is to have 100 percent of our 25-bus fleet in Congonhas using the new technology,” he emphasized.
For Marcelo Barella, Higer Bus Director for Latin America, “This is yet another important step making e-mobility part of people’s everyday lives, valuing safety, comfort and, above all, accessibility for all.”