20 Million Electric Vehicles Sold Worldwide and an Underlying Problem: Can Latin America Support Smart Charging?

During the webinar “Plan México 2030: Nearshoring, Manufacturing and the Smart Charging Ecosystem,” organized by Latam Mobility, three industry leaders agreed on a stark reality: electromobility in the region is advancing at a rapid pace, but charging infrastructure and grid capacity are failing to keep pace.

The event brought together María Cabeza, Country Manager of SynergEV in Mexico; Fadwa Kingsbury, Director of Operations at Ampcontrol; and Kathy Ardila, Commercial Manager of Invest in Latam as moderator, to highlight the challenges and opportunities shaping the energy transition across the continent.

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Global Milestones

The world closed out 2025 with a historic record in electric vehicle sales. According to the latest Global EV Outlook report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), global sales surpassed 20 million units for the first time, representing more than a quarter of the global new car market.

This growth, which has remained steady despite economic uncertainty, positions electric vehicles as a mass phenomenon rather than a passing trend.

Projections for 2026 are equally optimistic. The IEA revised its forecasts upward, estimating that electric vehicles will represent 29% of global car sales—equivalent to approximately 23 million units.

Latin America, with growth exceeding 100% in sales during the first half of 2026, has emerged as a key engine of global growth. Mexico and Brazil, along with Colombia, Uruguay, and Argentina, lead this regional dynamism.

Mexico Faces the Nearshoring and Manufacturing Challenge

In this context of exponential growth, Mexico positions itself as a strategic player thanks to the nearshoring phenomenon, which has attracted foreign investment for the manufacturing of electric vehicles and auto parts. However, during the webinar it became clear that vehicle production is not advancing at the same pace as the deployment of smart charging infrastructure.

María Cabeza was emphatic: “Mexico is setting the course in production, but growth in charging infrastructure isn’t keeping pace. For these vehicles to be sold, users need the certainty and peace of mind of being able to charge.” The SynergEV executive highlighted that while Mexico occupies a key place alongside Brazil in regional manufacturing, the central challenge lies in balancing the scales to ensure vehicle supply is met with a reliable charging network.

Fadwa Kingsbury echoed this view, focusing on grid capacity: “Even if there are thousands of vehicles, the problem is going to be grid capacity. The big challenge we are going to face is how to handle all that extra load.”

The Ampcontrol director warned that Mexico can learn from Europe’s experiences, where countries like Germany and the Netherlands face similar challenges and have begun integrating batteries, solar panels, and generators to sustain the demand of electric fleets.

Kathy Ardila emphasized the opportunity that renewable energies represent to overcome the limitations of the current grid. “The main challenge, not only in Mexico but throughout Latin America, is the capacity of the installed grid, which is not technologically advanced enough. That is where the implementation of solar projects and hybrid solutions plays a fundamental role, especially in non-interconnected locations.”

Software, Data, and AI as the Backbone of Transformation

Beyond the physical connection between the vehicle and the charger, the panelists agreed that the future of electromobility lies in smart energy management through software, data, and artificial intelligence (AI).

María Cabeza explained that SynergEV offers 360-degree solutions that integrate hardware and software to optimize energy use according to the user type: residential, fleets, or charging hubs. “It’s not just about the charger working; it’s about financial sustainability. Energy must be used based on smart services, considering electricity rates and consumption peaks,” she detailed.

Fadwa Kingsbury delved into Ampcontrol‘s approach—a platform that centralizes all data in a single software suite: from communication with chargers via the OCPP protocol to vehicle telemetry, battery state of charge, and route planning. “Bringing all the data together allows for efficient planning. It’s not just about knowing that there are peak rates, but that those rates coincide with the times when vehicles are in the depot,” she explained.

The executive added that AI allows predictive identification of failures and resolves 99% of issues before they occur, representing a quantum leap compared to traditional maintenance models.

Both experts agreed that operational flexibility is just as important as technology. “Depots and fleets are used to operating a certain way with traditional vehicles, but electric vehicles require a new mode of operation. If people don’t adapt, the tools are useless,” Kingsbury warned.

Innovations, Solutions, Public Policies, and Cross-Sector Alliances

The webinar also served as a platform to make industry announcements. María Cabeza revealed that SynergEV, a US-based company, will install its first assembly plant in Mexico in early 2027. This decision, she explained, responds to the need to streamline delivery times and offer more efficient after-sales service—two of the main pain points in the Mexican market, especially in a context of tariff and customs challenges. “We are happy because we will be able to respond more quickly to our customers,” she stated.

Fadwa Kingsbury highlighted that Ampcontrol is focused on integrating multiple energy sources—solar panels, batteries, and buildings—to coordinate all energy on a single platform. “We want operators to be able to add more vehicles without needing to install more chargers, making the most of existing infrastructure,” she explained. The executive emphasized the importance of long-term planning, considering not only current demand but also the projected growth of electric fleets.

Meanwhile, Plan México 2030—which includes the goal of increasing the production of electric vehicles assembled in the country by 10%—was another central theme of the debate. The panelists agreed that for this plan to succeed, urgent improvements are needed in public policy, fiscal incentives, and cross-sector alliances.

María Cabeza stressed the need for clear regulations on interoperability and connector standards to avoid fragmenting the infrastructure, as four types of connectors currently coexist in Latin America, complicating the user experience. She also advocated for fiscal incentives such as the accelerated 100% deduction of smart charging assets—a measure she said is already being promoted by the private sector before government agencies.

Fadwa Kingsbury added that cross-sector alliances are fundamental to making firm progress. “If we focus on a single group, we lose perspective of the rest. A dedicated rate structure for charging is needed, which gives companies certainty about their long-term costs,” she noted.

She also proposed flexible connection programs, similar to those already implemented in California and the Netherlands, that allow taking advantage of periods of low demand or high solar generation to expand charging capacity without the need for new infrastructure investments.

“Electromobility doesn’t have to be a burden on the grid—it can be a benefit. If solar is installed, capacity can be returned to the grid,” Kingsbury reflected, opening the door to more collaborative and less centralized operating models.

Closing With a Forward-Looking Vision

The webinar concluded with a message of unity and purpose. María Cabeza captured the panelists’ collective sentiment: “We are not selling something that already existed; we are helping to transform the way we move to leave a world with a lower carbon footprint. Building intelligently, joining with prepared people, and taking solid steps is what will give us peace of mind in 2030, 2040, and 2050. ” Kathy Ardila, in her role as moderator, thanked the guests for their commitment and highlighted that companies like SynergEV and Ampcontrol are making a difference by offering comprehensive solutions that combine technology, sustainability, and long-term vision.

The closing also served to invite the community to participate in the upcoming events of the Latam Mobility 2026 Tour, a series of in-person meetings that will tour the region’s main markets to strengthen cooperation and accelerate the transition toward low-emission mobility.

On August 25, Santiago de Chile will host Latam Mobility Cono Sur 2026, an event that will bring together more than 500 attendees, government authorities, and industry leaders at the Hotel InterContinental in the country’s capital. This meeting is shaping up to be the premier gathering point for the Southern Cone and will feature Argentina as a guest country.

Subsequently, the tour will culminate in Mexico City on October 12 and 13 at the World Trade Center with Latam Mobility México 2026, the leading conference and exhibition on sustainable mobility, held jointly with the Climate Economy Forum. It expects to gather more than 1,200 attendees and will offer networking spaces, specialized workshops, and new model launches.

With these words, the webinar made it clear that electromobility in Latin America is not a distant promise but a tangible reality in full swing. Collaboration between the public sector, private sector, and civil society will be key to making Plan México 2030 and the region’s decarbonization goals a tangible reality.