Currently, the Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) has a network of approximately 40 fast chargers distributed across the country. However, by 2025, an expansion is expected with the installation of 230 new chargers, 30 of which will be ready in the first half of next year.
This expansion project will include chargers in areas far from the capital, aiming to reinforce rural and border regions.
Jonathan Bonilla, ICE’s electromobility coordinator, states: “We have fast chargers in areas like the border with Panama and Nicaragua,” demonstrating the effort to ensure full coverage across the territory.
With the addition of new chargers, ICE plans not only to increase the number of charging points but also to improve the quality of service.
“We are considering charging stations where we could have four, five, or six fast and semi-fast chargers at strategic points along national highways,” he explains.
This infrastructure increase will be key to consolidating electromobility in the country, which is already a leader in the region in terms of electric vehicle adoption.
Details of ICE’s new purchase
One of the most significant updates is the recent purchase of 30 additional fast chargers, each with a capacity of 150 kW, which will be installed in the first half of 2025.
These chargers are from the brand StarCharge, and Bonilla mentions that the choice of this supplier was based on factors such as “the technology, spare parts support, and the in-house manufacturing of electronic cards and connectors.”
This investment will not only expand the charging network but also ‘refresh’ some existing strategic points, strengthening areas with higher demand for charging.
However, the major expansion will come with the implementation of the project, which includes the installation of 200 additional semi-fast chargers.
These chargers will have a capacity of 21 kW and will be distributed throughout the country, in strategic urban and peri-urban areas, facilitating access for users in densely populated areas with high electric transport usage.
The project is already in its final development phase, with a business model that involves participation from both a public and private company, whose name has yet to be revealed.
According to Bonilla, the tendering process is almost complete, and the contract with the supplier is expected to be signed soon:
“We are very close to concluding the tender process and moving forward with the contract signing. We expect the installation of the chargers to begin next year.”
Rates and access to chargers
Regarding the cost of using the chargers, ICE currently has a regulated per-minute rate for fast chargers.
However, Bonilla believes it would be beneficial in the future to evaluate a power-based model, as charging times vary depending on the type of vehicle.
“It would be important for distributors, along with regulators, to analyse the tariff system and move to a power-based model,” he says, noting that some slower-charging vehicles may be disadvantaged under the current system.
Access to the chargers is straightforward: they are available 24/7, 365 days a year, in strategic locations such as shopping centres and tourist areas, thanks to public-private partnerships managed by the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE).
Challenges in rural areas
One of the main challenges ICE has faced in expanding the charging network has been installation in rural areas far from the capital, where electrical infrastructure is limited.
However, ICE has overcome these obstacles and has already installed chargers in areas more than 300 kilometres from San José.
“It’s a technical and operational challenge, but we have managed to cover those areas with fast chargers to ensure that users can travel across the country without issues,” adds Bonilla.
International cooperation and regional leadership
Costa Rica has been a leader in electric mobility in the region, and this leadership has attracted interest from other Central American countries such as Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala.
In this regard, ICE has participated in international cooperation agreements, offering advice and sharing its experience in purchasing and installing electric chargers.
“We’ve explained the purchasing processes, how to charge, and manage spare parts, providing a roadmap on how to replicate this model in their own countries,” he describes.
