This study investigates the total carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from various types of passenger vehicles in five Latin American countries: Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Mexico, and Paraguay. The aim was to analyze to which degree CO₂ output can be reduced in Latin America by switching from petrol cars to electric cars. The vehicles analyzed include petrol-driven cars, short-, mid-, and long-range battery electric vehicles, fuel cell electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and hybrid electric vehicles. The study examines the total CO₂ emissions including battery production, vehicle manufacturing, and their operation, considering the energy grid mix of the selected countries for the year 2023. Using experimental data and considering production conditions yields more reliable results than previous studies. The results indicate that battery cars with the shortest cruising range using batteries produced in Europe and/or America generate the lowest levels of CO₂ emissions, regardless of the energy mix. However, the emission values vary across different countries. In countries with a predominant share of renewable energy for the electricity generation, such as Paraguay, Brazil, and Ecuador, battery cars are the most effective in reducing overall CO₂ emissions. Conversely, in countries like Argentina and Mexico, where renewable energy sources constitute a smaller share of the energy mix, the use of electric vehicles yields only a minor reduction in CO₂ output, while emissions of long-range vehicles with batteries produced in Asia even exceed those of internal combustion engine vehicles. Therefore, eco-friendly electricity generation is a prerequisite for eco-friendly use of electric cars and should therefore be the goal of every country.

This article presents relevant information regarding the design process of the body of an energyefficient vehicle used by the students of Automotive Engineering Department, Universidad del Azuay for participation in the Shell-Eco Marathon of the Americas competition. The objective was to design a single-seater vehicle that is capable of travelling several kilometers with the least possible energy consumption; thus, a computational study CFD of the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle was conducted. This study showed the need to adjust the initial design proposal, decreasing its drag coefficient from 0.43 to 0.32. The body will be built using fiberglass and acrylic for the windows as they are light materials that are easy to mold, reducing the mass of the vehicle and its manufacturing cost. The single-seater car body not only presents the necessary safety to protect the driver from external agents but also provides the visibility needed to drive on the track. In this way, a single-seater vehicle that can participate in the competition, complying with its regulations and requirements, is presented. Keywords: aerodynamics, drag, coefficient, energy, one-seater vehicle. Resumen En el presente documento se muestra información relevante respecto al proceso de diseño de la carrocería para un vehículo eficiente energéticamente, con motivo de la participación de los estudiantes de la carrera de ingeniería automotriz de la Universidad del Azuay en la competencia Shell – Eco marathon de las Américas. El objetivo es diseñar un vehículo monoplaza que recorra la mayor cantidad de kilómetros con el menor consumo de energía posible, para ello se realizó el estudio computacional CFD del desempeño aerodinámico del vehículo; a través del cual se evidenció la necesidad de ajustar la propuesta de diseño inicial, disminuyendo su coeficiente de arrastre de 0.43 a 0.32. La carrocería se construirá utilizando fibra de vidrio y acrílico para las ventanas, debido a que son materiales ligeros y presentan facilidad de moldeo, disminuyendo la masa del vehículo y también su costo de manufactura. La forma de la carrocería es monoplaza y presenta la seguridad necesaria para proteger al piloto de agentes externos, así como también brinda la visibilidad necesaria para poder conducirlo por la pista. De esta manera se presenta un vehículo monoplaza que puede participar en la competencia cumpliendo con la reglamentación y exigencias de la misma. Palabras Clave: aerodinámica, arrastre, coeficiente, energía, monoplaza.