In October last year, the Ministry of Mines and Energy presented the National Charging Strategy for Electric Vehicles as part of the energy transition plan.
An investment portfolio of 81 trillion pesos was announced for projects including charging stations.
Sources consulted by Mobility Portal Latin America indicate that no concrete actions in infrastructure have yet been materialized. However, business models have been defined to close the gap in charger availability.
The Minister of Mines and Energy emphasized that the charging infrastructure must be interoperable, allowing any electric vehicle to use it.
Additionally, the goal is for traditional gas stations to evolve into energy stations and adapt to the new mobility ecosystem.
Current diagnosis of charging infrastructure in Colombia
The country currently has a ratio of one charger for every 33 electric vehicles. This proportion highlights the need to strengthen the charging station network. Expanding the infrastructure requires significant investments and a sustainable financing framework.
The Ministry of Mines and Energy, with support from the World Bank and Deloitte, has identified three main investment approaches to boost the deployment of the charging network: public investment, private participation, and public-private partnership models.
What investment models have been proposed for charging infrastructure?
The implementation of each model will depend on the conditions of each area and the projected demand for electric vehicles.
Public investment: The State as the initial promoter
The public model proposes that the State finances the infrastructure in areas where private investment is not viable. Through state funds and subsidies, chargers would be installed in strategic regions to ensure national coverage.
This scheme is crucial in the early stage of the market, when electric vehicle adoption is still low and there is not enough user volume to ensure business profitability.
However, dependence on public budgets and bureaucratic processes may slow down implementation.
Private investment: The market as a growth driver
The private investment model relies on the participation of energy and mobility companies.
Operators take on the investment and management of infrastructure, aiming to recoup costs through usage fees and additional services.
This approach allows for faster and more efficient expansion, with operators prioritizing technological innovation. However, investments tend to be concentrated in high-demand areas, such as major cities and strategic corridors, leaving out regions with lower profitability.
Additionally, the fee structure may create access barriers for some users.
Mixed model: Public-private partnership for balanced development
The public-private partnership model combines state investment with the participation of private companies.
The government funds the installation of basic infrastructure, while private operators are responsible for the management and maintenance of charging stations.
Concession contracts may be established, in which companies invest in charger deployment in exchange for operational rights for a specified period.
This scheme ensures broader coverage without relying entirely on public funds.
However, its success depends on clear regulatory frameworks that prevent market concentration among a few players and ensure fair competition.
In major cities, where electromobility is already making progress, charging infrastructure can be mostly financed by the private sector, supported by tax incentives that encourage investment.
In mid-sized cities, a combination of public and private investment will enable network expansion without charging fees becoming a barrier for users.
In low-density areas, where business profitability is lower, the State must play a central role in financing.
