Brazil’s Major Cities Pivot to Biomethane to Decarbonize Public Transport

Brazilian municipalities are accelerating the adoption of biomethane-powered buses as a strategic alternative to diesel, citing lower costs and easier infrastructure integration compared to electric vehicle (EV) programs.

In Londrina, the Municipal Transit and Urbanization Company (CMTU) launched a 30-day trial of a 100% biomethane-powered bus on nine urban routes. The vehicle, a Marcopolo Volare Fly 10, will be tested for performance, fuel autonomy, and passenger comfort. Mayor Tiago Amaral noted that the initiative aligns with a broader plan to transform urban waste into fuel, creating a circular economy that benefits both the environment and local industry.

"We are starting a study to transform waste into gas," Amaral said. "It is better for nature and provides a cheaper fuel for our fleets and industries."

The shift comes as city officials face mounting pressure from volatile global diesel prices and the technical hurdles of electrification. In São Paulo, South America’s largest metropolis, Mayor Ricardo Nunes indicated that biomethane is now a key pillar of the city's decarbonization goals. The move follows significant delays in the city’s electric bus rollout, which has been hampered by a lack of charging infrastructure and disputes with power utility Enel.

According to city estimates, replacing diesel with biomethane could halve the annual R$3 billion (approx. $530 million) operating costs of São Paulo’s bus fleet. The city plans to leverage biomethane produced at local landfills, such as the East Waste Treatment Center (CTL), which processes 7,000 tons of household waste daily.

Industry experts argue that biomethane offers a more immediate solution than electricity. Marcelo Mendonça, Technical-Commercial Director at the Brazilian Association of Piped Gas Distributors (Abegás), pointed out that over 90% of São Paulo’s bus garages are already within one kilometer of existing gas distribution networks.

"The gas infrastructure is already there to allow for immediate use," Mendonça said.

In the state of Goiás, the capital Goiânia has embarked on an even more ambitious "New Metropolitan Public Transport Network" (Nova RMTC). The program aims to deploy 500 biomethane buses by the end of next year, with an initial investment of R$569.2 million ($100 million) shared between state and local governments. While biomethane vehicles have roughly 10% less autonomy than diesel counterparts, the fuel is approximately 15% cheaper per unit, and the acquisition cost of the buses is three times lower than that of electric models.

To support the transition, the Goiás state government has implemented tax incentives, including ICMS tax credits of up to 90% for biomethane producers and distributors, further cementing the fuel's role in Brazil's energy transition.

Summary of Key Developments:

• Londrina: 30-day trial of biomethane buses on nine routes; focus on waste-to-energy circular economy.
• São Paulo: Biomethane adopted as a pragmatic alternative to stalled electric bus expansion; potential to cut fleet costs by 50%.
• Goiânia: Goal of 500 biomethane buses by late 2025; R$569 million investment supported by state tax incentives.
• Environmental Impact: Biomethane reduces CO2 emissions by up to 95% and nitrogen oxide (NOx) by 85% compared to diesel.

Brazil's Green Leap: Volare Launches Biomethane & Natural Gas Microbus for Sustainable Public Transport

The launch of the Volare Fly 10 GV microbus which operates on compressed natural gas and biomethane establishes a new sustainable mobility system in Brazil according to public transport specialists. The vehicle which Marcopolo S.A. (POMO3, POMO4), a Brazilian bus, coach and rail manufacturer produces at its São Cristóvão facility in Caxias do Sul, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, represents multiple years of financial support for Brazilian engineering while providing an environmentally friendly option to replace diesel buses that still meet operational demands and flexible usage needs.

The microbus operates with an FPT Industrial N60 CNG engine which belongs to the Iveco Group and produces 200 horsepower together with 750 Nm of torque. The engine serves as a dedicated gas engine because it was not converted from diesel while delivering quieter operation and less need for maintenance and extending oil change intervals beyond standard diesel engine specifications.

The Volare Fly 10 GV can operate between 250 and 400 kilometers because its range depends on how people use it and the quality of the gas. The gas storage system of the vehicle has a capacity of 490 liters which it distributes across its four cylinders to provide enough operating time for urban and school and charter transport services. The vehicle has a gross vehicle weight of 10,700 kg and can carry up to 24 passengers in urban configurations or up to 54 students in school transport versions.

The microbus offers its main benefit because it uses biomethane as a sustainable fuel which comes from purified biogas that originates from the breakdown of organic material that includes agricultural waste and sewage and landfill waste. Biomethane power systems achieve substantial emission reductions because they produce 96 percent less particulate matter and 84 percent fewer greenhouse gases than diesel systems.

The vehicle features refueling speeds which match diesel bus refueling speeds and it contains certified high-pressure cylinders which have a 20-year operational lifespan because they adhere to strict safety requirements.

Volare, part of the Marcopolo Group and a leader in Brazil’s microbus segment for over 27 years, developed the Fly 10 GV after four years of testing and refinement. The company advocates this model as a bridging technology which connects traditional diesel buses with complete electric bus systems because it enables organizations to decrease emissions immediately without needing to construct new infrastructure.

The launch comes as Brazil expands its biomethane production capacity and seeks to integrate renewable fuels into its transportation sector. The Volare Fly 10 GV enables operators to use CNG and biomethane interchangeably which results in operational flexibility and lower carbon emissions and decreased fuel expenses and enhanced air quality.

The executives from the industry stated that their tested model has obtained positive results across different regions which included areas that have existing natural gas systems. The Brazilian microbus will operate urban transit systems and school transport programs while it will also serve charter fleets to support the country's development of renewable fuel-based transportation solutions.

The introduction of the Volare Fly 10 GV signals Brazil's increasing commitment to developing sustainable transportation solutions through the use of biomethane as a core element of its energy transition process.