September 23, 2026. Bolivia’s Minister of Public Works, Mauricio Zamora, and the Mayor of Santa Cruz, Manuel Saavedra, announced the immediate start of a program to convert 400 diesel-powered public transport vehicles in Santa Cruz to compressed natural gas (CNG).
The plan aims to progressively cover more than 2,000 vehicles using a revolving fund—financed by CNG consumption—to lower transportation costs.
“We already have the 400 cylinders; we are starting immediately with that batch and will continue,” Zamora stated at a press conference, noting that the process covers the cylinder, the conversion kit, and the labor as a complete service package.
Zamora explained that the process would entail no direct cost for transport operators, as it relies on a revolving fund fueled by revenue from CNG consumption; the more vehicles converted to natural gas, the more funds become available for others choosing to adopt this fuel type.
Meanwhile, the Mayor of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Manuel Saavedra, highlighted that the conversion would allow transport operators to access lower-cost fuel and reduce their vehicles’ operating expenses.
