In February 2025, Bogotá recorded the registration of 11 electric taxis—still a modest number, but a significant milestone compared to 2024, when no such units were registered.
This development is taking place within the framework of the Fund for Technological Advancement (FOPAT), a programme designed to modernise the transport sector and drive the transition to zero-emission taxi technologies.
The growth in the registration of electric taxis in Bogotá aligns with the national strategy for reducing transport-related emissions.
The first 11 units of electric taxis come from manufacturers Baic and Faw, which are gradually establishing themselves in the country’s electric vehicle market, according to the latest report by ANDEMOS.
The figures indicate that these models are beginning to gain traction in the public transport sector.
Taxi union perspective: lack of trust and financial uncertainty
While the national Government is pushing for the transition, Bogotá’s taxi union has raised concerns about the process’s viability.
Hugo Ospina, head of the taxi drivers’ union in Colombia, told Mobility Portal Latin America that the shift to electric taxis faces structural challenges that go beyond the availability of incentives.
“The taxi union was never consulted about the binding decree signed by the former mayor, Claudia López, which establishes that from 2026, only electric taxis may be registered in Bogotá,” he said.
He added, “We lack guarantees and legal certainty. An electric taxi costs between 150 and 180 million pesos, plus an additional 60 to 70 million pesos for scrapping the old vehicle. In total, we’re looking at over 250 million pesos in investment, with no assurance of recovering that capital.”
From the union’s perspective, the market conditions are not fair.
While taxi drivers must make substantial investments to modernise their fleet, Ospina pointed out that thousands of private vehicles and motorcycles continue to provide informal taxi services using internal combustion units, some over 20 years old.
“There is no level playing field or investor confidence for taxi drivers in Colombia to migrate to zero-emission technologies. We are restricted to fixed fares imposed by the Mayor’s Office, while informal private vehicles and motorcycles can charge whatever they like,” he claimed.
Local regulation: the role of municipal governments
The advancement of taxi electrification in Bogotá is closely linked to the autonomy municipalities have over public transport regulation.
In Colombia, the regulation of taxi services falls under municipal jurisdiction, meaning that each city sets the conditions for operation and the incentives for fleet modernisation.
The city administration is responsible for setting fares, implementing vehicle purchase regulations, and defining additional incentives that facilitate the transition.
However, the taxi union argues that a lack of legal certainty continues to hinder long-term investment.
Ospina also stressed another critical issue: insufficient charging infrastructure.
“Switching to clean and electric technologies would be something I’d think twice about, because as it stands, we don’t have a widespread network of charging stations in Bogotá,” he said.
The scarcity of adequate charging stations for a taxi fleet operating continuously remains an unresolved challenge.
Examples from other municipalities: Soacha and Cartagena as benchmarks
The first Colombian municipality to implement a structured electric taxi programme was Soacha, where 312 units were integrated into the individual public transport fleet.
This transition model served as a reference for expanding the programme to other cities, including Bogotá.
In the Valle del Cauca region, an agreement was established with the Ministry of Transport to introduce electric taxis in Cali, Palmira, Yumbo, and Jamundí.
The initiative involves a one-to-one replacement scheme, ensuring that for every internal combustion taxi taken off the road, an electric taxi is added.
Cartagena is also advancing in the adoption of electric taxis with a pilot project to introduce 100 units in tourist areas.
This plan, developed in coordination with the Tourism Secretariat and the Administrative Department of Transit and Transport (DATT), aims to improve air quality in the city and solidify the electrification of transport in high-demand areas.
Electric taxi market projections in Colombia
The implementation of FOPAT and local experiences in different regions offer a glimpse into the potential growth of electric taxis in Colombia.
According to estimates from the Ministry of Transport, the electric taxi market could reach a value of 10 trillion pesos by 2030, positioning it as a strategic sector within sustainable mobility.
