In 2024, China firmly established itself as the leading supplier of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Latin America, accounting for between 75% and 85% of the units installed in the region’s key markets.
This dominance is largely driven by the accelerated growth of e-mobility in countries such as Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica and Uruguay, all of which lack sufficient domestic capacity to meet rising infrastructure demand.
Brazil topped regional EV sales with 125,000 units sold in 2024, achieving a 6.5% market share. Yet, according to the International Energy Agency’s Global EV Outlook 2025, 85% of the country’s charging stations were imported from China.
Likewise, over two-thirds of charging equipment in Mexico came from Chinese suppliers. In Colombia, Costa Rica and Uruguay—with EV penetration rates of 7.5%, 15% and 13%, respectively—the majority of public charging points were also sourced from China, with a smaller portion imported from Europe.
Why China?
China’s dominance is underpinned by several key factors. Firstly, the average cost of a fast (DC) charging station from China is 20% to 30% lower than that of an equivalent European product.
Secondly, China has developed a mature, scalable and flexible charging industry, capable of offering plug-and-play solutions, often equipped with advanced technologies such as rapid charging and smart charging capabilities.
Chinese providers have also made strong inroads into the electric public transport segment. In Brazil, for instance, most electric bus fleets operate using Chinese-made chargers and energy management systems, known for their compatibility with long-range vehicles and seamless integration into complex urban networks.
Despite these benefits, the heavy dependence on imports poses long-term structural risks for the sustainable development of the regional charging ecosystem.
The standardisation gap: a barrier to interoperability
One of the most pressing challenges facing Latin America’s EV charging infrastructure is the absence of harmonised technical standards. The variety of connectors, protocols and technologies used by different manufacturers—combined with fragmented regulatory frameworks—is obstructing interoperability between vehicles, chargers and operators.
At present, fewer than 10% of charging stations across Latin America adhere to international standards, such as ISO 15118, which enables bidirectional communication between vehicle and charger, unlocking features like smart charging and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) functionality.
Moreover, only 30% of public charging stations are equipped with sufficient connectivity to support such technologies.
This lack of standardisation not only complicates the user experience—drivers often face compatibility issues with chargers from different brands or countries—but also slows the rollout of advanced energy management systems and discourages private investment in interoperable regional networks.
Local assembly and production initiatives
In light of this dependency, several countries have begun promoting domestic production or assembly of charging stations. Brazil and Mexico are leading the way, employing a mix of fiscal incentives, technology transfer agreements, and industrial development strategies focused on the electric mobility sector.
In Brazil, authorities have launched ‘electrocentre’ projects—urban hubs with multiple high-power charging points, incorporating locally assembled components, albeit still based on imported core technologies. These are part of a national plan to develop electric corridors along major highways and boost infrastructure in key cities.
Mexico, meanwhile, doubled its EV production capacity in 2024 and is now aiming to extend this capability to the manufacture of basic alternating current (AC) chargers, especially for residential and corporate settings.
Some local manufacturers are now engaging with Chinese firms to license production models or assemble tailored technology kits to better serve the Mexican market.
Despite these efforts, regional production remains limited: less than 15% of the current market is served by chargers made or assembled in Latin America.
The main barriers include small-scale production, lack of investment in R&D, and the absence of robust supply chains for critical components.
