This is how the use of electric cars is progressing in Peru: why it is still very different from other countries in the region

First, it must be distinguished that in the automotive industry there are two types of electrified vehicles: the hybrid vehicle (which may or may not be plug-in) and the pure electric vehicle, which also does not use any fuel or emit gases.

According to the Automotive Association of Peru (AAP), 4,400 electrified vehicles have been sold so far this year, including hybrids y electrical. 94% represents hybrid vehicles and the rest represents pure electric vehicles.

Alberto Morisaki, manager of Economic Studies and Statistics of the AAP, this figure represents an increase of almost 60% compared to the same period of time in 2023. In communication with The Trade He assured that “this market segment continues to grow.”

“It has to do with the fact that it is a segment that is coming from low levels of penetration. Of the total figures for light or heavy vehicles sold, only 4% are electrified vehicles. So, its growth potential is still enormous,” said Morisaki.

In addition, brands are gradually joining the range of electrified vehicles, with a greater variety of models. In addition, Morisaki said that “people are more aware of the benefits: it means significant savings in fuel use, vehicle maintenance and lower emissions of polluting gases.”

So far this year, the Toyota brand has sold the most electrified vehicles (1,167), followed by Suzuki (798), Volvo (351), Geely (348), Mercedes Benz (285), among others. There are more than 60 brands offering this type of vehicle. On the other hand, Lima is where the largest number of these units are concentrated with 79.9% of the market, followed by Arequipa (7%), Cusco (2%) and Trujillo (2.9%). The rest remains around 1%.

State support is lacking

This progress in electromobility, although still limited, is mainly due to the efforts of the private sector. Morisaki points out that there is a lack of support from the State in public policies, as is being done in countries in the region such as Colombia, Chile or Ecuador. There are bills and opinions that are still waiting in the Congress of the Republic.

“What we are looking for is a national plan that involves a series of public policies that encourage the entire electromobility ecosystem, not just the sale of vehicles, for example, in the area of ​​chargers. We must be clear about what the State’s objective is in terms of electromobility,” he said.

The topic of chargers leads us to discuss infrastructure, something that, according to the multinational ABB, our country lacks.

“While Mexico and Brazil have more than thousands of charging systems, Chile, Colombia and Argentina have around 100 installed. In contrast, Peru has only 52 public charging points for electric vehiclesand some installed in conventional taps and private parking lots, but the infrastructure is still limited,” reports Johnny Guerrero, electric mobility specialist at ABB in Peru.

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Why is electromobility important?

In recent decades, the harmful effects of greenhouse gases emitted by cars have become more widely known. These gases not only harm our health, but also the ecosystem with a series of climatic effects. The electric vehicle has become an alternative.

Schneider Electric points out in a press release that an electric motor is three or four times more efficient than a combustion engine, which means that, even with electrical energy produced by non-renewable sources, an electric car can reduce the oil consumption needed to generate that electricity by up to 40%.

This translates into an economic benefit for the user, although currently the electric vehicles They are usually more expensive than combustion engines. “Electricity is much cheaper than gasoline and electric motorswith their instant torque response, offer a superior driving experience,” explains Edwin Zorrilla, electromobility expert at Schneider Electric. He also indicated that for every sol of electricity, approximately 10 kilometers are traveled.

Even so, electric vehicles seem to be far from being a mass alternative for Peruvian transport without the intervention of the authorities, as is the case in other countries in the region.