Scania’s First eBRT Bus in Colombia Completes Homologation, Marking a Major Step for Electric BRT

Scania has reached a major milestone in its Bogotá eBRT demo as its first fully electric bus has successfully completed the Colombian homologation process. Homologation is the official approval process that certifies a vehicle meets all regulatory, safety, and technical standards required to operate in a specific country. With the chassis built by Scania in Poland, and shipped to Colombia for local bodywork by Busscar, the vehicle is now approved for operation in the country. The electric bus that completed homologation is a 12m 4×2 model, this means a bus that can carry a large amount of passengers while still being small and flexible enough for the busy streets of Bogota.

Navigating a New Regulatory Landscape

The homologation proved complex and reflects Colombia’s still emerging procedures for approving heavy duty electric vehicles. Because regulations for electrified transport are not yet fully established, the process required close collaboration with national authorities. This joint effort has helped set important early precedents that may ease future electric bus introductions for the wider market. Preparations for the charging infrastructure also brought challenges because the local charging network is still developing. These efforts provided important technical insights and lessons that will support future deployments.

Preparing for 2026 Operations

TransMilenio has begun performance testing ahead of the planned start of service in January 2026. While it is too early to share operational metrics, Scania expects real world service in Bogotá’s demanding BRT system to deliver valuable insights into energy performance, safety features, passenger capacity, and long term vehicle durability. The bus is equipped with Scania’s latest driver assistance and safety technologies, demonstrating that advanced European electric systems can be successfully integrated into Latin American BRT operations and adapted to local operating conditions.

“The eBRT project in Colombia gives us a unique opportunity to show that electrification is a global trend and demonstrate European innovation in a new context,” says Carl Johan Lööf, Head of Product Management at People Transport Solutions. “Our robust vehicle and our in house developed ADAS are built for tough conditions, and we will further optimise efficiency through dedicated driver training. We are confident that the combined benefits of electrification and advanced safety systems will bring major advantages to Bogotá’s BRT operations.”

What’s Next

Key next steps include completing the performance tests, handing over the vehicle to the operator, and preparing for the launch of public service in early 2026. Despite the challenges along the way, the project has already underscored the pioneering nature of this pilot and helped pave the way for broader electric mobility adoption in the region. This reinforces Colombia’s position as an emerging leader in sustainable urban transport.