From Subsidy to Service: How “As-a-Service” Models Are Redefining Electromobility in the Region

Within the framework of the webinar “LATAM: 2026 Roadmap for Mobility and Energy,” organized by Latam Mobility, the second panel—“Hispanoamérica 2026: Investments, Regulation, and Business Models for Sustainable Mobility”—brought together leading experts from across the region.

The conversation, moderated by Andrés García, Director of Latam Mobility, featured Pamela Peña (BD Manager Smart Mobility at Hiberus), Israel Galván (Senior Business Developer at Autocab), Alex Ascon (Senior Consultant at Urban Wave), and Lala Céspedes (Representative of Singular City).

The panelists agreed that sustainable mobility is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s a tangible reality in the region’s main cities. Still, structural challenges remain, and they stressed the need for stronger public-private coordination and an integrated vision.

You may also be interested in | São Paulo to Host “Latam Mobility & Net Zero Brasil 2026,” the Premier Regional Gathering for Sustainable Mobility

From Pilots to Reality

Andrés García kicked things off by noting that sustainable mobility is now part of everyday life—whether through ride-hailing apps, electric public transport, or the growing network of charging stations. But he emphasized that harmonizing the rules of the game across countries and regions is still a work in progress.

Pamela Peña tackled investment and regulation head-on, making the case that legal certainty and standardization are now more critical than direct subsidies. Drawing from her experience in Chile, she highlighted three key pillars: interoperability, retrofit and circular economy laws, and blended finance instruments.

“Countries like Chile have implemented interoperability rules that let any user charge across the entire network—killing range anxiety,” Peña said. “That’s been a game changer.” She added that public-private collaboration is non-negotiable for scaling projects.

Alex Ascon brought the Peruvian perspective, pointing out that infrastructure, not vehicles, is now the bottleneck. “The technology is validated, and prices have come down thanks to Chinese brands, but charging infrastructure is still holding us back,” he explained. Ascon also introduced an interesting twist: electric air mobility (drones and VTOLs) —a sector with nascent regulation but huge potential in mining and agribusiness.

The Need for an Integrative Vision

The conversation turned to regulatory fragmentation as one of the biggest barriers to scalable business models.

Lala Céspedes described Argentina’s situation as a “regulatory gray zone.” While there’s market openness and financing for electric vehicles, a solid regulatory framework to give investors confidence is still missing. “We see plenty of pilots, but they’re not aligned regionally,” she reflected. “We need to move from isolated labs to macro integration—like Chile has done with its public policy or Colombia with its contractual schemes.”

Israel Galván added the view from Mexico, where regulations vary not only by country but even by state. Still, he noted local wins: tax incentives for EVs and vehicle verification programs that encourage fleet renewal.

“At Autocab, we help taxi drivers transition to more efficient models—optimizing routes and cutting empty trips. Technology is our tool to improve quality of life,” he said, highlighting how Mexico has learned from Chile and Brazil’s experiences.

The Rise of “As-a-Service”

When asked about the most effective and scalable business models, the panelists agreed: the ownership model is giving way to the service model.

Alex Ascon noted that in Peru, B2B is the main engine, with 80% of companies having CapEx ready to renew fleets. The Fleet as a Service model—covering vehicles, charging infrastructure, and digital optimization—is proving highly efficient, with paybacks of 4 to 5 years and major operational gains.

Pamela Peña went deeper, identifying three dominant models in Chile:

• Transport as a Service (pay per kilometer, not per vehicle)
• Infrastructure as a Service (where energy management software is as important as the charger)
• Mobility as a Service (integrating multiple transport modes into one payment platform)

“The key shift has been financial flexibility and heavy use of data,” Peña said. “Companies no longer want to buy an electric van—they want to pay for availability.”

Lala Céspedes offered a broader view: there’s no one-size-fits-all model. Each city needs its own roadmap, but sustainability depends on planning that from day one brings together the entire value chain—including operator training and user experience.

Israel Galván closed this segment by highlighting how digital platforms help reduce emissions in congested cities like Mexico City, optimizing routes and cutting empty trips for taxis.

Data, Collaboration, and a Vision for the Future

To wrap up, Andrés García thanked the panelists and emphasized that Hispanoamérica’s sustainable mobility ecosystem is becoming more diverse, more mature, and full of opportunities. The main takeaways:

• Legal certainty and interoperability matter as much as economic incentives. Countries that have moved forward with clear regulation—like Chile—become regional benchmarks.
• The dominant business model is shifting to “As-a-Service,” turning high upfront costs (CapEx) into operational expenses (OpEx) thanks to technology and data.
• Regulatory fragmentation remains a barrier, but also a source of valuable lessons and best practices that can be transferred across borders.
• Public-private collaboration isn’t optional—it’s a must to scale projects and ensure long-term sustainability.
• New frontiers like electric air mobility are already emerging as high-potential fields in mining, agribusiness, and logistics.

The webinar made one thing clear: Hispanoamérica is at a defining moment for sustainable mobility. The next few years will be crucial to consolidate pilot learnings, harmonize regulations, and scale business models that put users and sustainability at the center of the transition.

These and other high-value discussions will continue at the in-person event «Latam Mobility & Net Zero Brasil» taking place on April 15 and 16 in São Paulo, Brazil, where experts, companies, and industry leaders will gather to dive deeper into the strategies shaping the roadmap for sustainable mobility across the region.

A unique opportunity to continue building partnerships and sharing knowledge face to face. If you would like to purchase tickets for the event, click here. For more information, follow our WhatsApp channel.