The sleek electric buses of Chinese origin, operated by the E14 bus in Montevideo, Uruguay are making waves among passengers. Although there is no immediate indication that the buses are made in China, a small window sticker with the name BYD, a Chinese manufacturer, is the only clue. When asked about their thoughts on the bus being Chinese-made, passengers seem puzzled. They see the new electric buses as a significant improvement over the noisy and polluting gas-guzzlers they used to ride. In fact, the bus operator has recently placed an order for 200 more buses. Similar electric buses can be seen gliding through other Latin American cities.
On the other hand, in the United States, there is growing concern about Latin America’s increasing reliance on Chinese green technology, including electric buses, solar panels and batteries. The rapid adoption of these technologies is crucial in the fight against climate change and has also proven to be highly profitable. In 2022, announced foreign direct investment in renewable energy worldwide surpassed $350 billion making it the most invested-in sector of that year and possibly of the last few decades.
As tensions rise between the United States and China, green technology has become a new battleground in their rivalry. The competition for dominance in this sector is fierce and both countries are vying for global leadership. As the world grapples with the urgent need to transition to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future, the race for green technology supremacy has taken center stage.
