Imports of used electric cars have also been gaining ground in the Brazilian automotive market.
In recent years, the electric vehicle (EV) market has grown exponentially across the world, and Brazil is no exception. With growing awareness of climate change and the need to reduce carbon emissions, many consumers are opting for electric cars as a more sustainable alternative to traditional vehicles powered by fossil fuels. However, the import of used electric cars, through mechanisms such as the Special Vehicle and Enthusiast Program (SEVS), has raised significant concerns about the safety of these vehicles on Brazilian soil.
The SEVS program and the import of used electric cars
O Special Vehicle and Enthusiast Program (SEVS) was originally created with the intention of allowing the import of specialized or historic vehicles that would otherwise not be available on the Brazilian market.
This program has been used as a “back door” for the import of used electric cars, mainly from Japan, United Kingdom and United States. While this practice allows for a greater diversity of EV options for Brazilian consumers, it also raises serious questions about the safety of these vehicles.
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A Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), an authority on vehicle safety in Australia, has expressed concerns about the use of the SEVS program to import used cars that cannot be tested to local safety standards.
According to ANCAP, many of these vehicles are imported in small batches that cannot be assessed for a safety rating, which can result in potentially unsafe vehicles circulating on Brazilian streets.
The security issue raised by ANCAP
One of the main concerns raised by ANCAP is the lack of safety testing for these imported vehicles.
In the case of Australia, ANCAP requires that for a vehicle to receive a safety rating, a minimum of four vehicles of the same model must be tested. However, vehicles imported under the SEVS program often arrive in small batches, making comprehensive testing impractical.
This lack of testing raises important questions about the transfer of safety specifications from one country to another. Each jurisdiction has its own safety standards, and the absence of equivalent tests on Brazilian soil may mean that vehicles imported under the SEVS program do not meet stringent local safety standards.
This subverts the ANCAP classification system and potentially the requirements of the Australian Design Standards, which may not be applicable to the Brazilian context.
The perspective of used car importers
On the other hand, representatives of the vehicle import industry, such as Kristian Appelt, from the Australian Imported Vehicle Industry Association (AIMVIA), disagree with ANCAP's allegations. According to Appelt, the fact that a vehicle has not been tested by ANCAP does not necessarily mean that it is unsafe.
He argues that electric cars imported from countries such as Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States are manufactured to safety standards equivalent to those in Brazil, and that these vehicles undergo rigorous inspections and modifications to meet Australian Design Standards before being released. registered.
Appelt also mentions that several electric vehicles imported under the SEVS program have high safety ratings in other jurisdictions.
For example, the Honda-e from 2020 has a four-star Euro NCAP rating, while the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E and 2022 Nissan Ariya have five-star ratings. These ratings suggest that, despite the lack of testing by ANCAP, these vehicles can still be considered safe for Brazilian roads.
The impact of importing used electric cars in Brazil
Since June 2022, more than 13.958 vehicles were imported into Australia through SEVS registration, based on environmental criteria. While not all of these vehicles are electric, this statistic highlights the popularity and growing demand for more environmentally friendly vehicles. In Brazil, this trend is also being reflected, with an increase in the import of used EVs.
The growing demand for electric cars in Brazil can be seen as a positive response to the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions. However, it is crucial that this demand is balanced with a rigorous analysis of the safety of imported vehicles.
Brazil needs to consider implementing stricter regulations to ensure that all imported vehicles, including used EVs, meet local safety standards before they are registered and released for use on the roads.
Importing used electric vehicles through programs like SEVS offers a valuable opportunity to diversify the EV market in Brazil and provide consumers with more options. However, this practice also presents significant challenges, especially regarding the safety of vehicles that are not tested to local standards.
It is imperative that the Brazilian government consider adopting policies that balance the need to increase the availability of EVs with ensuring that these vehicles are safe for consumers.
The discussion surrounding the import of used EVs in Brazil is complex and multifaceted. While expanding the electric vehicle market is essential to the country's transition to a low-carbon economy, this must not come at the expense of consumer safety.
Adopting stricter regulations and carrying out comprehensive safety testing for imported vehicles are crucial steps to ensuring Brazil continues to move towards a more sustainable future without compromising road safety.