Copec Voltex Surpasses 4,000 Charging Points in Chile and Powers the Region’s First Electric Tugboat in a Double Milestone for Electromobility
This past July, Copec Voltex reached a new milestone in electric vehicle infrastructure development by surpassing 4,000 charging points across Chile. With this figure, the company now operates the most extensive continuous fast-charging network in South America, connecting over 2,200 kilometers between Copiapó and Castro.
This extensive longitudinal connectivity allows EV drivers to travel across a massive stretch of the country without interruption, cementing Chile’s position as a regional benchmark in electromobility infrastructure.
The network is further strengthened by 37 electro-terminals, through which Copec Voltex supplies clean energy to more than 2,000 electric public transport buses. The company projects additional infrastructure expansion throughout 2026, including new charging points, tailored solutions for logistics fleets, and ongoing upgrades to the user experience.
By the end of 2026, Copec will have reached the operational capacity needed to recharge 3,191 electric buses in Chile—representing 63% of the total RED system fleet.
“Over a decade ago, we began building infrastructure for a form of mobility that seemed distant at the time. Today, seeing how electromobility transforms people’s lives and the development of cities drives us to keep moving forward with that same long-term vision.”
Francisco Larrondo, General Manager of Copec Voltex
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Trapananda: Latin America’s First Electric Tugboat
In a parallel advance that marks a historic turning point for maritime decarbonization, Copec Voltex developed the charging infrastructure to operate the Trapananda—Latin America’s first 100% electric tugboat.
The vessel, developed by SAAM Towage in collaboration with Chile’s National Petroleum Company (ENAP), Copec Voltex, and with infrastructure support from Empresa Portuaria Chacabuco (Emporcha) , operates in Puerto Chacabuco, in the Aysén Region.
The Trapananda was christened in July 2025, with its name paying tribute to the ancestral name of Chilean Patagonia—a remote and untamed land representing the strength and unique beauty of southern Chile. Since then, the vessel has completed one full year of continuous operations, supporting ship docking and departure tasks in the bay of the Aysén Region.
The tugboat stands out for its zero direct CO₂ emissions and cutting-edge technology that significantly reduces underwater noise, lessening the impact on marine species and actively contributing to the protection of ocean life.
With an overall length of 25 meters and a beam of 13 meters, the Trapananda has a bollard pull capacity of 70 tons, allowing it to assist large vessels even in challenging port conditions. It is equipped with two 2,100 kW electric azimuth thrusters and operates on a 3,616 kWh lithium-ion battery, distributed across two compartments.
State-of-the-Art Charging Infrastructure
To make the Trapananda’s operation possible, SAAM Towage selected Copec Voltex to design and implement a charging solution specially developed to meet the rigorous operational demands of the port environment. The infrastructure was conceived in close collaboration with SAAM Towage’s engineering teams to ensure a safe, efficient, and reliable power supply.
The solution delivers up to 300 kW through two connectors integrated into the batteries and incorporates a third Shore Power connector to supply auxiliary services while the tugboat is docked.
This charging capacity—equivalent to recharging more than 70 conventional electric vehicles simultaneously—allows the tugboat to maintain full operational readiness at the port with complete energy autonomy.
Diego Soto, Deputy B2B Commercial Manager of Copec Voltex, stated: “At Copec Voltex, we accompany our clients in the transition toward more sustainable mobility. We have done this by delivering charging solutions for light vehicles, public transport buses, last-mile delivery, and long-distance transport.”
“Today, we are bringing that same experience to the maritime sector, developing the charging infrastructure for South America’s first 100% electric tugboat—proof that these technologies are already a reality, even for the most complex operations.”
A Future Spanning All Sectors
With these two landmark achievements—the 4,000 charging points and the infrastructure for Latin America’s first electric tugboat—Copec Voltex demonstrates that electromobility is no longer a distant promise but a tangible, rapidly expanding reality in Chile.
The company has successfully transferred its deep expertise in charging for light vehicles and public transit buses to highly demanding sectors such as the maritime industry, opening up powerful new possibilities for decarbonizing the entire logistics chain.
Copec Voltex’s charging network—connecting over 2,200 kilometers from northern to southern Chile, alongside the 37 electro-terminals supplying more than 2,000 electric buses—firmly cements the company as the undisputed leader in electromobility infrastructure across South America.
At the same time, the Trapananda stands as a pioneering project that positions Chile and Puerto Chacabuco as global benchmarks in sustainable port innovation.
In the words of Francisco Larrondo: “Seeing how electromobility transforms people’s lives and the development of cities drives us to keep moving forward.”
With a steadfast long-term vision and proven technical capability in the most demanding environments, Copec Voltex continues to lead the energy transition not only in Chile but throughout the entire region.
The Ideal Space for Fleets in Latin America
The Latam Mobility 2026 Tour will arrive in Santiago, Chile, on August 25, bringing together experts and strategic players to further strengthen the sustainable mobility ecosystem in the region.
The tour will end in Mexico City on October 12 and 13, alongside the Climate Economy Forum, in a meeting that will bring together sector leaders to continue driving the transition toward more efficient, sustainable, low‑emission transportation systems in Latin America.
The transition is already underway. The Latam Mobility 2026 Tour will be the meeting point to accelerate decisions, connect key players, and collaboratively build sustainable mobility in Latin America.
