When it comes to advancing sustainable mobility and boosting electric vehicle adoption, each Latin American country faces unique challenges in strengthening its charging infrastructure.
In this Mobility Portal Latinoamérica analysis, the cases of Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru are examined, featuring insights from industry experts who outline the state of charging networks.
Peru: A Competitive Charging Ratio but Limited Distribution
Peru’s infrastructure presents a paradox: although the ratio of 15 electric vehicles per public charger is competitive by international standards, a lack of planning hinders growth and accessibility.
Adolfo Rojas, president of AEDIVE Peru, highlights that the country has 64 public charging points, distributed across 13 direct current (DC) stations and 51 alternating current (AC) stations.
However, 95% of electric vehicles are concentrated in Lima, limiting access to more remote regions.
Rojas warns that the main challenge is not the number of charging points but their distribution:
“It is critical that interprovincial travel and routes outside Lima have access to fast chargers,” he states.
Additionally, he notes that the arrival of more affordable electric vehicles, particularly from China, could democratise electromobility and increase infrastructure demand in provincial areas.
Colombia: Urban Saturation and Limited Home Charging
In Colombia, the situation reflects progress but also overcrowding in major cities such as Bogotá.
Oscar Martínez, CEO of Colombia EV, explains that although the country has advanced under the Electromobility Law, the supply of public charging points remains limited.
“In Bogotá, we are already seeing waiting times of up to five or six hours,” he warns.
One of the most pressing issues, according to Martínez, is the low adoption of home chargers.
Although charging at home is an ideal solution, economic and administrative barriers make it difficult in residential complexes.
“Building managers are often uninformed, which complicates approvals for charger installations,” he explains.
Meanwhile, Nelson Padilla, CEO of Mubon, highlights that Colombian regulations favour private companies in providing charging services.
However, he stresses the need to mandate charging points in sustainable buildings and new developments to ease pressure on public charging stations.
Ecuador: Low Demand and an Untapped EV Market
In Ecuador, the main challenge is not congestion but a lack of awareness about electric vehicles.
According to Bernardo Espinel, CEO of Rayo Carga, much of the population still prefers internal combustion vehicles, particularly those over 60 years old.
However, younger generations with greater environmental awareness and higher purchasing power are slowly driving the market forward.
Public charging infrastructure remains limited, as most users prefer to charge at home.
This meets urban demand, as with a 400-kilometre range, most daily commutes are covered.
Read more: Top companies gather at the “Storage, Renewable and Electric Vehicles Integration Forum”
