{"id":65879,"date":"2026-05-22T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/latamobility.com\/?p=65879"},"modified":"2026-05-21T17:25:45","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T22:25:45","slug":"ie-grupo-and-toyota-map-out-the-key-plays-for-sustainable-mobility-in-colombia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/latamobility.com\/en\/ie-grupo-and-toyota-map-out-the-key-plays-for-sustainable-mobility-in-colombia\/","title":{"rendered":"IE Grupo and Toyota Map Out the Key Plays for Sustainable Mobility in Colombia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In a virtual meeting organized by Latam Mobility<\/strong>, leaders from the automotive and electrical infrastructure sectors reached a critical assessment: Colombia has all the necessary technologies to accelerate electromobility<\/strong> but faces major barriers in financing, energy generation, and user confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The webinar, titled \u201cLatam Mobility Colombia 2026: The Key Match of Sustainable Mobility<\/strong>,\u201d moderated by Andr\u00e9s Garc\u00eda<\/strong> of Latam Mobility<\/strong>, featured Mart\u00edn Garc\u00eda<\/strong> from Toyota Colombia<\/strong> and Deibit Lozano<\/strong>, founder and CEO of IE Grupo (Internacional El\u00e9ctrico)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both experts used a soccer analogy to describe the current state of the ecosystem and outlined the plays needed for the country to win the match against zero- and low-emission mobility<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may also like<\/strong> | Car Sales in Colombia Skyrocket in April, Surpassing 100,000 Units<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A World-Class Lineup: Toyota\u2019s Multipathway and CIEN by IE\u2019s Technological Bet<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mart\u00edn Garc\u00eda<\/strong> opened the conversation by presenting Toyota<\/strong>\u2019s global strategy, which goes beyond vehicle manufacturing to position itself as an integrated mobility company<\/strong>. With over a decade of presence in Colombia, Automotores Toyota Colombia<\/strong> has adopted the Multipathway<\/strong> concept, offering six base technologies adapted to each country\u2019s infrastructure, regulation, and resource conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Colombia, the company has built a \u201cdream team\u201d<\/strong> on the field: a solid defense of efficient internal combustion vehicles with Euro 5 and Euro 6 standards; a midfield led by the Corolla<\/strong>, Corolla Cross<\/strong> hybrids, and the renewed Yaris Hatchback<\/strong>; and a forward line headed by the Toyota bZ4X<\/strong>\u2014the brand\u2019s first fully electric vehicle in Colombia\u2014combining a range of over 480 kilometers (WLTP cycle) with 338 horsepower and Toyota\u2019s legendary off-road DNA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Garc\u00eda highlighted that 54% of Toyota\u2019s portfolio in Colombia is already electrified<\/strong> and announced more surprises coming in the second half of the year, including regional developments like a flexible ethanol hybrid vehicle (from Brazil) and methane-based technologies for the agricultural sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, Toyota<\/strong> has strengthened its shared mobility services with Kinto Share<\/strong> (rental by the hour, day, or week) and the upcoming launch of Kinto WAN<\/strong>, a rental service for companies that lets corporate fleets access electrified vehicles with no upfront investment<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For his part, Deibit Lozano<\/strong> presented the vision of IE Grupo<\/strong>, a Colombian company with 30 years of experience in electrical infrastructure, generation, transmission, and energy distribution. Through its business unit CIEN<\/strong>, the company has established itself as an EV charging operator (CPO) and mobility service provider (MSP) with a strong focus on proprietary technology.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lozano explained that CIEN by IE already manages nearly 40% of toll transactions in Colombia<\/strong>, giving it deep knowledge of the country\u2019s road corridors and mobility patterns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cOur lineup is set: player number 10 is the user, and around him orbit the CPO and the MSP. We want to revolutionize the user experience because today distrust is even greater than the lack of infrastructure.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\"Colombia\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Bottlenecks Holding Up the Match<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the most revealing moments was the joint analysis of structural barriers holding back mass EV adoption in Colombia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mart\u00edn Garc\u00eda<\/strong> laid out a striking fact: to reach the goal of 600,000 electric vehicles by 2030<\/strong>, the country will need about 3.6 gigawatts<\/strong> of additional capacity\u2014more than the output of the Hidroituango<\/strong> hydroelectric plant. \u201cWe not only need charging infrastructure, but also energy generation. Efforts must be joint: government, private sector, marketers, and users,\u201d<\/strong> he warned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Faced with this, Toyota<\/strong> reinforces its hybrid strategy<\/strong> as an immediate solution that cuts emissions without relying on a weak charging network. The company has already installed chargers at its own dealers to ensure bZ4X<\/strong> buyers have at least one backup point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deibit Lozano<\/strong> got even more specific: of the 450 charging points mapped in Colombia, between 25% and 30% do not work or work intermittently<\/strong> due to lack of maintenance, technical expertise, or connectivity problems. \u201cThat creates a broken network, and a broken network destroys trust. Users don\u2019t know if the charger will be operational when they arrive.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lozano added that another critical bottleneck is the delivery of wallboxes by automakers: \u201cThey give a charger to the user, but they also give them a problem.\u201d<\/strong> In residential buildings, there is no clear legislation on how to connect these devices, and building transformers aren\u2019t sized for dozens of EVs. Europe has already been through this, and we have the chance not to repeat the same mistakes.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The CIEN by IE<\/strong> founder stressed that the real bottleneck is not technological but financial and regulatory<\/strong>. \u201cWe have the technology. The hardware is available. What is missing is trust and viable financial models to deploy infrastructure at scale. We already have a business plan for 600 connectors in the next 18 months, but we need the State to enable, not obstruct. Clear rules, real incentives, and agile permitting are required.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solutions in Motion: Partnerships, CAPEX, and a Network That Connects Regions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mart\u00edn Garc\u00eda<\/strong> noted that Toyota<\/strong> includes both an emergency charger and a wallbox in the price of the bZ4X<\/strong> and has formed alliances to cover part of the home electrical installation. He invited skeptical users to try hybrid technology through Kinto Share<\/strong>\u2014experiencing lower fuel consumption in traffic and learning about extended range exceeding 700 kilometers. \u201cIf you\u2019re still afraid of electric, start with a hybrid. It\u2019s the gateway to electrification.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deibit Lozano<\/strong> announced that CIEN by IE<\/strong> is developing a network of 100 charging stations<\/strong> over the next 18 months, focused on Colombia\u2019s main road corridors to break the intercity mobility barrier. The company has identified strategic points in the toll concessions it operates and is rolling out ultra-fast charging<\/strong> to enable travel between cities without range anxiety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the most disruptive innovation is the free CAPEX model (no upfront investment)<\/strong>: \u201cIf you have an underutilized parking space, we analyze the market, assess viability, and put in all the investment. You give us the space, and we install, operate, and maintain the charging infrastructure. That way you generate passive income while helping to build the network the country needs.\u201d<\/strong> This model is already available for businesses, residential units, parking lots, and companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, CIEN by IE<\/strong> is building its own solar farms to guarantee energy availability for its charging stations, anticipating El Ni\u00f1o and rising electricity demand. \u201cWe cannot rely solely on the grid. We need 100% sustainable and decentralized energy.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Colombia\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Role of the State, Academia, and Tax Benefits: A Call Not to Wait on the Sidelines<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Both Mart\u00edn Garc\u00eda<\/strong> and Deibit Lozano<\/strong> agreed that no single player can win this match alone<\/strong>. Garc\u00eda called for maintaining tariff benefits, differentiated VAT, and withholding exemptions that currently encourage electrified vehicles and infrastructure components to enter Colombia. \u201cLet\u2019s not lose sight that these benefits are temporary. We must focus our collective efforts on preserving them while the ecosystem matures.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lozano was more emphatic: \u201cThe biggest mistake would be to wait for the State to deploy what the market is already clamoring for.\u201d<\/strong> In his view, the private sector has the investment capacity and technical knowledge to accelerate the transition, but it needs clear rules\u2014especially for charging in condominiums, grid connections, and fast-charger homologation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEurope has already been through this. We have the advantage of learning from their successes and mistakes. We cannot fall behind.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Andr\u00e9s Garc\u00eda<\/strong> closed the segment by noting that Colombia has many \u201cmatches ahead\u201d<\/strong>: energy storage, substation upgrades, electric freight fleets, and integration between renewable generation and electromobility. \u201cIt\u2019s not just one half, but a long league. We all have to step onto the field.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Next Big Meeting in Medell\u00edn<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The webinar ended with optimism and an open invitation to keep building solutions in person. Andr\u00e9s Garc\u00eda<\/strong> thanked the panelists and audience, reminding everyone that the conversation continues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat we\u2019ve discussed today is only the first half. The second half will be played at Latam Mobility Colombia 2026<\/a>, the most important sustainable mobility event in the region.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The date is June 10 and 11<\/strong> at the Orquideorama of Medell\u00edn\u2019s Botanical Garden<\/strong>\u2014a natural, iconic venue hosting two intensive days of panels, workshops, networking, and the latest innovations in electric mobility, hydrogen, biofuels, and charging infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There, Mart\u00edn Garc\u00eda<\/strong> and Deibit Lozano<\/strong> will meet again with other industry leaders, government representatives, academics, investors, and entrepreneurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The invitation is open to all ecosystem players: companies, fleets, condominium managers, dealers, grid operators, power generators, and citizens who want to be part of the change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Latam Mobility<\/a><\/strong> aims to turn Medell\u00edn<\/a> <\/strong>into the epicenter of sustainable mobility in the region\u2014proving that Colombia is ready to win the mobility match of the future<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n