Chinese Electric Buses Soar in Latin America, Fueling US Political Concerns over China’s Green Technology Dominance

As passengers sit comfortably on the sleek E14 bus in Montevideo, Uruguay, they might be surprised to learn that this smooth electric vehicle is actually Chinese-made. The only indication of its origins is a small window sticker bearing the name of BYD, a Chinese manufacturer. When asked about any concerns regarding the bus’s Chinese roots, passengers seem puzzled. They only know that these buses are a significant improvement over the noisy, gas-guzzling ones they used to ride.

In fact, the operator has recently placed an order for 200 more of these buses, which are now a common sight in many other Latin American cities. However, tensions are mounting in the United States over Latin America’s increasing reliance on Chinese green technology, such as electric buses and solar panels. Politicians there view this trend as a problem and even a threat.

The use of green technologies, including electric vehicles (EVs), solar panels, and batteries, is crucial in the global efforts to combat climate change. Not only are these technologies environmentally friendly, but they are also proving to be highly profitable. In 2022, foreign direct investment in renewable energy worldwide exceeded $350 billion, surpassing investments in any other sector that year and in decades.

As a result, the competition between the United States and China in the field of green technology is intensifying. Green technology has become the latest battleground in the ongoing rivalry between the two superpowers.