{"id":62038,"date":"2026-03-30T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/latamobility.com\/?p=62038"},"modified":"2026-03-26T16:38:13","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T21:38:13","slug":"from-subsidy-to-service-how-as-a-service-models-are-redefining-electromobility-in-the-region","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/latamobility.com\/en\/from-subsidy-to-service-how-as-a-service-models-are-redefining-electromobility-in-the-region\/","title":{"rendered":"From Subsidy to Service: How \u201cAs-a-Service\u201d Models Are Redefining Electromobility in the Region"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Within the framework of the webinar \u201cLATAM: 2026 Roadmap for Mobility and Energy,\u201d<\/strong> organized by Latam Mobility, the second panel\u2014\u201cHispanoam\u00e9rica 2026: Investments, Regulation, and Business Models for Sustainable Mobility\u201d<\/strong>\u2014brought together leading experts from across the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The conversation, moderated by Andr\u00e9s Garc\u00eda<\/strong>, Director of Latam Mobility<\/strong>, featured Pamela Pe\u00f1a <\/strong>(BD Manager Smart Mobility at Hiberus<\/strong>), Israel Galv\u00e1n<\/strong> (Senior Business Developer at Autocab<\/strong>), Alex Ascon <\/strong>(Senior Consultant at Urban Wave<\/strong>), and Lala C\u00e9spedes<\/strong> (Representative of Singular City<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The panelists agreed that sustainable mobility is no longer a futuristic concept\u2014it\u2019s a tangible reality in the region\u2019s main cities.<\/strong> Still, structural challenges remain, and they stressed the need for stronger public-private coordination and an integrated vision.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may also be interested in | S\u00e3o Paulo to Host \u201cLatam Mobility & Net Zero Brasil 2026,\u201d the Premier Regional Gathering for Sustainable Mobility<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From Pilots to Reality<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Andr\u00e9s Garc\u00eda<\/strong> kicked things off by noting that sustainable mobility is now part of everyday life\u2014whether 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.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pamela Pe\u00f1a<\/strong> tackled investment and regulation head-on, making the case that legal certainty and standardization are now more critical than direct subsidies.<\/strong> Drawing from her experience in Chile, she highlighted three key pillars: interoperability, retrofit and circular economy laws, and blended finance instruments.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCountries like Chile have implemented interoperability rules that let any user charge across the entire network\u2014killing range anxiety,\u201d<\/strong> Pe\u00f1a said. \u201cThat\u2019s been a game changer.\u201d<\/strong> She added that public-private collaboration is non-negotiable<\/strong> for scaling projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alex Ascon<\/strong> brought the Peruvian perspective, pointing out that infrastructure, not vehicles, is now the bottleneck.<\/strong> \u201cThe technology is validated, and prices have come down thanks to Chinese brands, but charging infrastructure is still holding us back,\u201d<\/strong> he explained. Ascon also introduced an interesting twist: electric air mobility (drones and VTOLs)<\/strong> \u2014a sector with nascent regulation but huge potential in mining and agribusiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"electromovilidad
Andr\u00e9s Garc\u00eda, Lala C\u00e9spedes, \u00c1lex Ascon (above), and Israel Galv\u00e1n and Pamela Pe\u00f1a (below)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Need for an Integrative Vision<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The conversation turned to regulatory fragmentation<\/strong> as one of the biggest barriers to scalable business models.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lala C\u00e9spedes<\/strong> described Argentina\u2019s situation as a \u201cregulatory gray zone.\u201d<\/strong> While there\u2019s market openness and financing for electric vehicles, a solid regulatory framework to give investors confidence is still missing. \u201cWe see plenty of pilots, but they\u2019re not aligned regionally,\u201d<\/strong> she reflected. \u201cWe need to move from isolated labs to macro integration\u2014like Chile has done with its public policy or Colombia with its contractual schemes.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Israel Galv\u00e1n<\/strong> 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.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt Autocab, we help taxi drivers transition to more efficient models\u2014optimizing routes and cutting empty trips. Technology is our tool to improve quality of life,\u201d<\/strong> he said, highlighting how Mexico has learned from Chile and Brazil\u2019s experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Rise of \u201cAs-a-Service\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When asked about the most effective and scalable business models, the panelists agreed: the ownership model is giving way to the service model.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alex Ascon<\/strong> noted that in Peru, B2B is the main engine<\/strong>, with 80% of companies having CapEx ready to renew fleets. The Fleet as a Service<\/strong> model\u2014covering vehicles, charging infrastructure, and digital optimization\u2014is proving highly efficient, with paybacks of 4 to 5 years and major operational gains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pamela Pe\u00f1a<\/strong> went deeper, identifying three dominant models in Chile:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Transport as a Service<\/strong> (pay per kilometer, not per vehicle)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Infrastructure as a Service<\/strong> (where energy management software is as important as the charger)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Mobility as a Service<\/strong> (integrating multiple transport modes into one payment platform)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cThe key shift has been financial flexibility and heavy use of data,\u201d<\/strong> Pe\u00f1a said. \u201cCompanies no longer want to buy an electric van\u2014they want to pay for availability.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Lala C\u00e9spedes<\/strong> offered a broader view: there\u2019s no one-size-fits-all model.<\/strong> Each city needs its own roadmap, but sustainability depends on planning that from day one brings together the entire value chain\u2014including operator training and user experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Israel Galv\u00e1n<\/strong> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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