For the remainder of 2024, Coca-Cola FEMSA plans to add approximately 15 to 20 additional light electric vehicles in Costa Rica and around ten in Panama, marking a significant advance in its electrification strategy.
Currently, the multinational already operates 50 light electric vehicles across Costa Rica and Panama, including models from BYD, Hyundai, Foton, Maxus, among others.
These vehicles, ranging from small vans to sedans and pickups, are primarily used for pre-sales tasks and administrative functions.
Regarding heavy-duty vehicles, the company has invested in two Volkswagen e-Delivery electric trucks in Costa Rica, designed to carry loads of up to six pallets, and in Panama, it has added three trucks of the same line with identical load capacity.
Coca-Cola FEMSA has also installed chargers at its main distribution centres.
In Panama, Coca-Cola FEMSA has partnered with EVERGO, allowing access to its public charging network, thus complementing internal chargers.
In Costa Rica, the company ELCO was responsible for installing chargers at the distribution centres.
In total, the multinational has installed 31 chargers across both countries.
Long-term goals and current fleet structure
Despite having a fleet of approximately 400 light vehicles and 380 heavy vehicles, electrification is just beginning for Coca-Cola FEMSA.
Carlos Castillo, Head of Transport for Southern Central America at the company, revealed that, although the percentage of electric vehicles is still low, the company has ambitious goals: “By 2030, we want at least 50 per cent of our light vehicles to be electric, and by 2050, we aim to achieve 100 per cent conversion.”
Impact and benefits of the electric fleet
Although it is still early to evaluate all the results, the benefits are clear.
“The daily operating cost of electric vehicles is much lower,” Castillo explains, although he notes that the balance between the total operating cost of an electric vehicle versus a combustion one is achieved after six years.
Beyond economic benefits, the reduction of the carbon footprint is the most visible impact so far.
“In Costa Rica and Panama, the energy we use comes from renewable sources, which makes the reduction in carbon footprint significant,” he details.
Opportunities for EV manufacturers
Coca-Cola FEMSA is mainly focused on electrifying its fleet of light vehicles, used primarily for pre-sales and administrative tasks, which represents a significant commercial opportunity for electric vehicle manufacturers.
The company is not committed to a single brand, so it is currently evaluating models from various manufacturers to identify those that best meet its operational needs.
According to Castillo, they are in a testing phase to determine which models best meet their expectations before making large-scale purchases.
This phase offers automakers the chance to present innovative solutions, especially vehicles with greater load capacity and range.
Manufacturers who manage to align their products with Coca-Cola FEMSA’s requirements in terms of design, efficiency, and operating costs will be able to position themselves as strategic partners in the electrification process of one of the world’s largest companies.
Challenges of electrification in Central America
Although progress in electrification is significant, several challenges remain. Castillo mentions that one of the main obstacles is the lack of suitable heavy electric vehicles for the company’s logistical needs.
“The heavy vehicles currently available on the market are not functional for transporting liquids,” he says, emphasizing the need for a design that combines electric efficiency with a structure that does not compromise daily operation.
Another important challenge is the public charging infrastructure, where Panama is ahead of Costa Rica.
“In Panama, the public charging network is much more developed,” Castillo points out, while in Costa Rica, most of the company’s electric vehicles rely on chargers installed at distribution centres.
He adds: “The lack of public chargers limits the vehicles’ range and, consequently, their use in more extensive operations.”
It is worth noting that, at the beginning of the year, Panama had a total of 278 chargers, distributed across 178 charging stations throughout the country.
