Charging Infrastructure in Buildings Put to the Test in Panama

The advancement of eMobility in Panama faces a structural obstacle: residential buildings are not yet equipped to accommodate electric vehicle chargers.

Despite sustained growth in electric vehicle sales and the existence of a supportive legal framework, the installation of charging points in multi-unit residential buildings remains a difficult, costly, and often misunderstood task for the stakeholders involved.

“The biggest challenge today is knowing how many chargers to install in a building. If 10% of 800 parking spaces must be dedicated to e-mobility, we’re talking about 80 charging points. And neither the grid nor the infrastructure is ready for that,” says Mónica Escalante, Managing Director of Neo Energy, in an exclusive interview with Mobility Portal Latinoamérica.

An Ambitious Law on Paper, But Limited Implementation

Panama has an active regulatory framework: Law 295 stipulates that by 2030, 30% of the state fleet must be electric.

The sustainable construction regulation, meanwhile, requires that at least 10% of parking spaces in new buildings be allocated for electric vehicles.

However, this does not take into account the actual limitations of internal electrical systems, nor the load capacity that many residential complexes can support.

The mass installation of charging points entails simultaneous electricity demand that can overload transformers and require new investments in private electrical infrastructure.

Charging Is Not Just Plugging In: Management Matters Too

Installing a charger is only part of the process. As private EV fleets grow—across banks, pharmacies, and logistics firms—the need for energy management platforms is also increasing.

“When a client has five EVs, they need to know how much energy they’re using, how to distribute the load, schedule charging based on time-of-use tariffs, and track fuel cost savings. That requires software, not just hardware,” Escalante explains.

In Neo Energy’s case, user support covers everything from supplying the charger to implementing software platforms and advising on consumption statistics.

In many cases, users have reported operational cost reductions of 40% to 50%—but only after having access to real data.

Technical or Cultural Problem? The Need for Training

In vertical residential buildings, shared governance and lack of technical knowledge become major barriers.

Building managers, property owners, and residents often reject installations due to misinformation or disputes over cost allocation.

This is why Neo Energy works in partnership with the Horizontal Property Association (ADEPA) to deliver targeted training for building environments.

“The market needs technical education. Without it, residential eMobility won’t take off,” Escalante stresses.

This type of training aims to address practical questions such as: how many chargers a building can support; how the energy should be distributed; who is responsible for installation and maintenance; and how shared charging is managed legally.

Connectors and Compatibility: A Fragmented Infrastructure

The wide range of vehicle brands entering the country—most of them of Chinese origin—has created a highly fragmented charging ecosystem. While many models use GBT, others feature CCS2 or Type 2 connectors.

“There are over 40 Chinese brands in Panama, but many are already migrating to CCS2 or Type 2. If public or private infrastructure is built solely around GB/T, it could become obsolete very quickly,” warns Escalante.

Today, both buildings and users must opt for interoperable chargers or adaptors that address the mix of standards.

This technical requirement also increases project costs and demands specialist support.

When the Charger Is Locked by Software

Another growing issue is digital interoperability. Some charging stations become unusable if the user doesn’t renew a software licence or if the provider’s platform fails.

“We’ve already seen cases where a station stopped working because the PIN expired. You can’t allow a charger to be rendered inoperable due to a remote management issue,” says Mónica.

To avoid such situations, it is crucial to work with providers that offer integrated solutions: robust hardware, proprietary software, local technical support, and the flexibility to integrate with private networks.

A Sector Moving Forward with Imbalances

The transition to electric mobility in Panama reveals a clear pattern: private demand is growing faster than the technical and regulatory systems can respond.

While users are buying EVs, buildings are not yet ready to support that decision.

Bridging this gap requires more than just incentives. It calls for technical education, realistic regulation, interoperability, and strategic vision.

Above all, it requires that EV charging is no longer treated as an add-on, but as essential infrastructure for the urban future.

The growth of e-mobility in Panama faces a structural barrier: residential buildings are not yet equipped to host EV chargers.

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