Chile energy minister: electric cars 'the future of mobility'

Calling electric cars "the future of mobility," Chilean energy minister Andrés Rebolledo announced that the country will host a Formula-E Championship series electric street race next February 3.

By hosting the event in Santiago, the government hopes to create synergies between sport and electric transportation, the energy ministry said Tuesday in a statement.

Rebolledo cited projections that the number of electric cars in global circulation is expected to reach 30mn by 2025, and 140mn by 2050.

The minister said that organizers expect 100,000 attendees for the event.

More than 190mn television viewers from more than 100 countries tuned in for the inaugural Formula-E season, which launched in September 2014, according to the Formula-E website.

The transport sector accounted for 33% of Chile's total energy consumption in 2014, according to the ministry.

The government's Energía 2050 long-term energy plan mandates that Chile adopt "the highest international standards of energy efficiency for road, air, rail and maritime transport," and cites the opportunity presented by "electrification and widespread use of hydrogen as a source of energy for public and private transport, which would support compliance with the established goals for local and global emissions."

Formula E also announced Tuesday a multi-year partnership with the United Nations with the goal of improving inner-city air quality.

The partnership "will focus on raising awareness of the benefits of electric vehicles among younger generations and motorsport fans globally - educating future consumers of electric cars, and challenging major cities and governments to take action to tackle pollution," Formula-E said in a release.

ARGENTINA

The Chile announcement follows news that Argentine national oil company YPF, European automation and technology firm ABB, and Argentine electro-mobility specialist QEV will jointly invest US$13mn in the installation of 220 DC fast chargers for electric vehicles at 110 YPF fueling stations throughout Argentina.

The charging posts are monitored remotely, and include software allowing users to locate and reserve a spot at the nearest station, and to make payment via credit card or smart phone, YPF said Tuesday.

The chargers "take between 15-30 minutes for 80-90% battery charge, just enough time to drink a coffee," ABB said earlier this month, when the project was first announced.

The deal coincides with news that Chinese firm BYD will invest US$100mn in the construction of an electric vehicle plant in Argentina.