BYD Ltd and Praco Didacol, BYD’s Colombian distribution partner has launched the first South American, all-electric taxi fleet. Not only will Colceincias – Bogotá’s Technology, Science and Innovation Administration be getting several vehicles, but 46 BYD e6’s will be placed into Taxi service as of Q1 2013 in the Colombian capital.

The District Government authorized this scalable all-electric Taxi pilot in an effort to improve the air quality in Colombia’s dense cities. Forty-nine BYD e6, 5-passenger, all-electric crossover sedans received approval from the Colombia Ministry of Transportation to operate as taxis in the city of Bogotá.

A measure was adopted by the Ministry of Environment in 2009 so that these types of vehicles could be imported with zero tax and electric cars in Bogotá do not have license plate restrictions like other petroleum vehicles.

BYD’s fleet vehicles have accumulated over 30 million fleet miles as of Dec 2012. BYD Autos, distributed through Praco Didacol, which has been serving the Colombian market for over 95 years.