The Costa Rican legislature is debating a new bill that proposes to create a charging network for electric vehicles, whose stations would be operated by electricity distributors.
Kattia Cambronero Aguiluz, Deputy of the Progressive Liberal Party, introduced the regulatory proposal for the promotion of electric charging infrastructure and strategies for sustainable mobility on February 14.
Specifically, the initiative seeks that electricity distributors be in charge of developing, operating and selling the charging service for electric vehicles.
Read also: Blink Charging: How to Use Charging Stations Properly?
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The bill proposes that each charging station should be installed at least every 80 kilometers on national roads and at least every 120 kilometers on cantonal roads.
However, the Ministry could modify the distance requirements if deemed necessary, according to the annual and projected growth of the electric vehicle fleet.
In addition, the document states that electric power distributors may provide the recharging service alone or through alliances, associations, joint ventures or other business structures.
The bill seeks to amend the Law on Incentives and Promotion for Electric Transportation. Since 2018, Costa Rica passed such law with the objective of providing incentives for the use of electric vehicles.
The referred legislation establishes incentives such as tax exemption for some electric vehicles, for the importation of parts and spare parts, to parts in the construction of recharging centers, to the total payment of the annual circulation fee for five years, among others.
Imports in the Central American country have grown significantly. Up to December 2023, there were 12,302 units in the country, which reflects an increase of 87%.
