Colombia stands out in South America for having an electric grid that operates at 120/208V and 440/480V with a frequency of 60Hz, making it more similar to the US electrical system than to those of its regional neighbours, where 230/400V and 50Hz are the standard.
This particularity led to the choice of the Type 1 connector for electric vehicles.
However, the growing import of Chinese EVs with GB/T and Type 2 connectors has caused a lack of compatibility in the country’s charging infrastructure.
How does this disconnect impact the development of electromobility in Colombia?
Natalia Ortíz, representative of MubON, a Colombian company specialising in charging infrastructure, explains:
“Although Colombian regulations favour the Type 1/CCS1 standard, this is only a minimum requirement for public charging stations, allowing them to be supplemented with other standards depending on market demand.”
This regulatory flexibility allows for the coexistence of multiple charging standards, but it also complicates the user experience and the planning of charge point operators.
The initial decision to adopt the Type 1 standard was based on the similarity between the Colombian and US electrical grids.
The dilemma is that this choice did not anticipate the growth and diversification of the global electric vehicle market.
Ortíz points out: “This standard was initially favoured without considering the growth and offerings of the international market.”
As a result, charging infrastructure is not evolving at the same pace as the electric vehicle fleet, creating a fragmented ecosystem.
A key factor in this issue is that the current regulations in Colombia apply only to charging infrastructure and do not regulate the importation and commercialisation of electric vehicles.
This means that manufacturers and distributors have the freedom to decide which type of connector to incorporate in the vehicles they sell in the country.
Ortíz highlights: “Colombia remains a small market—with fewer than 10,000 electric vehicles sold annually—for automakers to tailor their offerings locally.”
This economic reality leads brands to import vehicles with the standard specifications of their home markets, minimising modifications that could increase costs.
China’s Dominance in Colombia’s EV Market
China’s influence in the global electric vehicle market is undeniable.
As the world’s leading producer, Chinese manufacturers face multiple barriers to entering the US market, pushing them to focus on other regions, including Latin America.
“China is the largest electric vehicle producer in the world, and since these vehicles face multiple barriers to entering the US market, manufacturers do not make significant changes to adapt to Colombia. Instead, they replicate what they export to other countries in the region.”
According to Colombia’s National Traffic Registry (RUNT), registrations of electric vehicles rose by 345% in January compared to the same month the previous year, with 966 units registered.
Notably, last year EV sales had already grown by 147%, reaching 9,193 units sold.
Now, the trend is accelerating, with electric vehicles accounting for 6.7% of total registrations, while hybrids reached 22% of all registered vehicles in the country.
The Colombian zero-emission vehicle market continues to be dominated by Chinese brands, with BYD leading the sector.
BYD accounted for 49% of total EV registrations in January, with the BYD Yuan Up and the BYD Seagull, both models that also led throughout 2024.
Other brands that secured a significant market share include Volvo (9.5%) and Kia (9.5%), followed by Zeekr (5.5%) and BMW (3.2%).
