Rodolfo Nardez Sirol

Environment and Sustainability Director

CPFL Energia

Fleet electrification is rapidly emerging as one of the most effective ways to cut emissions from transport – but in Brazil, its significance runs even deeper. Cleaner fleets mean lower operating costs, quieter cities and healthier air, all while strengthening one of Brazil’s greatest strategic assets: its abundance of renewable energy.

As Brazil accelerates its energy transition, Companhia Paulista de Força e Luz – better known as CPFL Energia group, one of the country’s largest electricity distribution companies – is transforming its own operations through fleet electrification, investing in new infrastructure and demonstrating how innovation, collaboration and long-term vision can move an entire industry towards a cleaner, more competitive future.

Brazil stands out as one of the world’s most renewable-powered nations. With nearly 90% of its electricity generated from hydro, wind and solar sources, the country’s energy mix offers a unique advantage in the global race to decarbonise.

For companies like CPFL Energia, this isn’t just an environmental opportunity – it’s a strategic one. By combining the country’s renewable strength with fleet electrification, CPFL is proving that sustainable transport can also be smart business.

Electric vehicles are often praised for their environmental benefits, but CPFL’s experience shows they make economic sense too. The company now operates 170 electrified (both electric and hybrid) vehicles, from light vehicles to heavy trucks – accounting for roughly 3% of its total fleet.

These vehicles have already helped to avoid the equivalent of 1,138 tonnes of CO2 emissions, while reducing operating expenses. Additionally, electric vehicles require less maintenance and have lower fuel costs, particularly in a country where electricity is largely renewable, which translates directly into cost savings and reliability.

But electrification isn’t just a line on a balance sheet. Brazil’s urban centres are still plagued with air pollution. According to data published by the Brazilian Environment and Health Ministries, the Southeast region of Brazil, where most of CPFL’s operations are located, has highest levels of air pollution – reaching alarming levels in densely populated cities like São Paulo. Because electric vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions, each replacement of a petrol or diesel vehicle helps to reduce harmful pollutants, including fine particulate matter.

Another less visible but equally valuable benefit is noise reduction. Electric vehicles operate almost silently, easing the background noise that defines most cities. For residents, quieter streets mean better sleep, lower stress and a generally improved quality of life.

The reputational gains are also notable. As investors increasingly evaluate companies on their environmental performance, visible progress on decarbonisation helps reinforce CPFL’s position as a trusted, future-ready energy provider.

Fleet electrification is more than a technological upgrade for CPFL Energia – it’s a cornerstone of the company’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategy. By adopting electric mobility internally, CPFL strengthens its technical expertise, tests new solutions and accelerates the development of Brazil’s electromobility ecosystem.

CPFL’s electrification journey began over a decade ago, and by investing in its own charging infrastructure and R&D projects, we’ve been able to gain practical insights. Early studies and pilot projects started in 2007, followed by the EMOTIVE R&D project in 2013 which was supported by Brazil’s Energy Efficiency Law.

By 2019, the company had reached major milestones: 79 electrified vehicles in operation, a fully electric fleet in the city of Indaiatuba and the launch of its first charging infrastructure and battery recycling initiatives.

Building on this success, CPFL made a public commitment in 2023 to electrify 15% of its operational technical fleet by 2030 as part of its ESG Plan 2030. Since then, investments have expanded beyond R&D, with direct capital allocated.

Today, the Fleet Electrification Expansion Project is extending the model to new operational bases, supported by additional charging stations. One of the most visible components of this plan is the Green Corridor, a 675-kilometre route across São Paulo state equipped with public charging stations – making it easier for electric vehicles to travel long distances. By the end of 2025, it will feature 56 chargers across 14 cities, creating a backbone of infrastructure that supports both CPFL’s operations and the wider adoption of electric mobility.

By 2030, CPFL expects to have nearly 200 electrified vehicles in operation — each one representing another step toward lower emissions, lower costs and cleaner energy use across Brazil.

In a country powered by renewables, each electric vehicle represents Brazil’s potential to lead the world in sustainable mobility.

For CPFL Energia, this initiative captures the company’s broader purpose – to innovate responsibly, operate efficiently and help build a cleaner, more resilient future. As Brazil’s roads grow quieter and its air cleaner, the company’s journey offers a model for how energy providers everywhere can turn climate ambition into practical and measurable action.

2025 is a critical year for the Paris Agreement. Ten years on, we need to rethink how we frame the challenge. And seeing challenges differently is what business and we are all about.

ICC is committed to securing what businesses need at the upcoming climate negotiations, COP30, in Belém, Brazil. Learn more about our Opportunity of a Lifetime climate campaign and how to get involved.

*Disclaimer: The content of this article may not reflect the official views of the International Chamber of Commerce. The opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and other contributors.