CEO of Stellantis speaks about the electric car market in Brazil and says that ethanol can be the solution for many consumers.

The Portuguese Carlos Tavares, CEO of the Stellantis Group, an automobile conglomerate that owns brands such as Fiat, Peugeot, Jeep and Citroën, did not make a point of calming down and stated that the Brazilian consumers do not need electric cars, but from ethanol. The statement was given at a press conference with journalists from around the world, at the event for the disclosure of the group's financial results.

Electric cars in Brazil are disadvantageous compared to 100% ethanol, says Carlos Tavares

The answer was given after the CEO of Stellantis was asked about taxes on electric cars in Brazil. The executive claims that there is no reason for people to take electric cars to Brazil, since electric cars do not make sense compared to cars that can run on 100% ethanol.

Tavares' speech is in line with what Antonio Filosa recently said, Chief Operating Officer at Stellantis in South America. According to Filosa, Brazil currently has the largest electric fleet in the world, by equivalence, citing the capture of carbon generated by planting sugarcane.

Carlos Tavares was very realistic when analyzing electric cars in Brazil, since this vehicle is not better in terms of emissions, which, in fact, has been proven by some studies, while it is much more expensive compared to models totally pure alcohol.

On the other hand, it cannot be denied that the electric propulsion it is also linked to the idea of ​​a modern and up-to-date car. It is something that the completely ethanol powered models that Stellantis plans to launch will never achieve and, in this case, the only solution is to commercialize eletric cars Also.

Can Stellantis launch a new ethanol-powered car by 2023?

The executive claims that this may be a niche market and claims that he has no intention of leaving it to his competitor, so it will be there too. Slightly provocative, the executive did not go into details regarding launches for the Brazilian market, but stated that he will also take electric cars to Brazil to fight against people who think they can destabilize Stellantis' leadership.

There is a high probability that consumers will win a ethanol car of the brand later this year, even if it is in prototype. However, don't be surprised if the manufacturer chooses one of its models to launch a version powered entirely by ethanol, serving as a laboratory for its project.

The expectation for the coming years is even more interesting, with the goal of adding electrified systems to these engines and, in an ideal future, even the generation of hydrogen through the complex process of steam reforming.

The electric car market

The executive also emphasizes his concern with reducing the costs of electric cars, dependence on subsidies, concern with the future supply of inputs and high interest rates. These are plausible concerns and, of course, should be weighed. Carlos claims that Stellantis has tested all types of cars in Brazil and knows that there are options for all demands.

The electric car is currently not the solution, but an alternative for those who generate energy at home or for those who prefer a car without noise, for example. If it is said that the electric car is the definitive solution for the country, certainly many people will say no for different reasons. It is not mandatory to have a single path or a single alternative, it is necessary to have them all, and consumers choose the one that best suits them.