The Official Journal of the Federation has published Agreement No. A/108/2024 issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE): the first general regulatory instrument on electromobility in Mexico, and one of the pioneers in Latin America.
Walter Julián Ángel Jiménez, Commissioner of CRE, highlights in an exclusive interview with Mobility Portal Latin America that this regulation aims to organize the installation of charging infrastructure with a focus on safety and efficiency.
“We want the infrastructure to be integrated into the general distribution networks in a planned manner, with clear standards that ensure the reliability of both the network and the service that users will receive,” he states.
The regulation provides legal certainty that will encourage investments in electrical infrastructure.
“By establishing clear guidelines, we hope to attract new investments and ensure that projects are developed with the quality and safety required,” explains Ángel Jiménez, who also notes that regulating a growing sector for the first time was one of the biggest challenges.
Until now, the industry has operated without a specific legal framework, which has forced many companies to adapt their business strategies to the regulatory void.
CRE’s adaptations and adjustments following industry dialogue
The path to implementing this regulation was not without obstacles. One of the points that generated the most debate was the requirement for chargers to have two types of connectors.
Initially, CRE had proposed that all chargers offer at least two connectors to ensure interoperability. However, after consulting with the industry, it was decided to relax this requirement.
In this regard, the official details: “Some companies already had stock of chargers with only one type of connector, and changing this would have incurred high costs. Therefore, we opted to include a list of accepted connectors to avoid hindering the sector’s growth.”
Another significant change was the inclusion of “maximum price visibility,” a measure requiring charging service providers to clearly display the energy cost.
This provision, driven by the Ministry of Economy, aims to protect consumers and ensure that all users know how much they will pay before using the service.
A platform for transparency in electromobility
In addition to the specific regulation on infrastructure, CRE is working on a platform that will allow users to access detailed information about charging stations.
This tool, which will be available in the coming months, will include data on the location, availability, and features of public and residential charging stations across the country.
Ángel Jiménez states that the platform will be crucial for planning the orderly growth of infrastructure: “It will be a fundamental source of information for both users and companies to know what infrastructure is available and where,” he adds.
Towards a smart electric grid
The regulation is also part of a more ambitious plan to transform the Mexican electrical system into a Smart Electrical Grid. This model aims to optimize energy demand management by integrating technologies that allow for more efficient and sustainable use.
With the growth of electromobility, the grid will need to handle both the increase in demand and the incorporation of renewable energy sources.
In line with this goal, CRE is already working on a new Mexican Official Standard (NOM) that will regulate the technical aspects of chargers and connectors.
Thus, the expert reveals: “We are making rapid progress to ensure that electromobility in Mexico develops with the highest standards of safety and efficiency.”
The draft of this standard is already in process and will be crucial for ensuring the interoperability of infrastructure.
