{"id":65926,"date":"2026-05-25T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-25T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/latamobility.com\/?p=65926"},"modified":"2026-05-21T18:12:45","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T23:12:45","slug":"weights-tariffs-and-charging-standards-the-challenges-chile-must-solve-to-accelerate-electromobility-according-to-anac-and-sotraser","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/latamobility.com\/en\/weights-tariffs-and-charging-standards-the-challenges-chile-must-solve-to-accelerate-electromobility-according-to-anac-and-sotraser\/","title":{"rendered":"Weights, Tariffs, and Charging Standards: The Challenges Chile Must Solve to Accelerate Electromobility, According to ANAC and Sotraser"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

During a webinar organized by Latam Mobility<\/strong> titled \u201cLatam Mobility Colombia 2026: The Key Match of Sustainable Mobility,\u201d<\/strong> leaders from Chile\u2019s automotive and freight transport sectors outlined the progress, barriers, and opportunities shaping the shift toward electric and low-emission mobility<\/strong> in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The meeting, moderated by Kathy Ardila<\/strong> of Invest in Latam<\/strong>, featured Gustavo Hunter<\/strong>, Head of Sustainable Mobility at ANAC AG<\/strong> (National Automotive Association of Chile), and Pedro Pe\u00f1a<\/strong>, Electromobility Manager at Sotraser<\/strong>. They shared their perspectives on the present and future of electromobility in Chile and its regional impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You may also be interested in<\/strong> | Chile advances toward 4,400 electric buses: La Araucan\u00eda launches massive tender to renew its fleet<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chile: A Leader in Electric Buses With Unfinished Business<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pedro Pe\u00f1a<\/strong> began by presenting Sotraser<\/strong> as one of Chile\u2019s freight transport leaders. The company currently operates 750 tractor-trailers<\/strong> nationwide and has been driving fleet electrification since 2022. A key milestone was developing the largest electric fleet in South America<\/strong> \u2013 50 units operating for Walmart<\/strong> in Santiago, connecting Valpara\u00edso and surrounding regions. Sotraser aims to have 20% of its fleet fully electric by 2027.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gustavo Hunter<\/strong> explained that ANAC AG<\/strong> brings together Chile\u2019s main vehicle, truck, and bus importers and brands, plus charging point operators like Cope<\/strong>, Voltex<\/strong>, NLX<\/strong>, and Huawei<\/strong>. The association publishes a monthly electromobility sales report and works on a comprehensive sustainable mobility strategy covering road safety, circular economy (the REP Law), and preparation for autonomous and connected mobility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hunter highlighted a major achievement: Chile ranks second in the world in number of electric buses<\/strong>, behind only China<\/strong>. However, he warned that other transport sectors, especially freight, have been overlooked by public policies<\/strong>. Pe\u00f1a agreed and zeroed in on a critical regulatory barrier: Decree 151 of 1980<\/strong>, which governs vehicle gross weights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Electric truck batteries add 2 to 3 extra tons<\/strong>, cutting into cargo payload. \u201cTechnology is advancing fast, but regulations have fallen behind,\u201d<\/strong> Pe\u00f1a noted, though he appreciated the government\u2019s willingness to amend the law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Chile\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tariffs, Registration Fees, and a New National Strategy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Gustavo Hunter<\/strong> emphasized that electromobility has strategic importance for Chile given its energy mix: nearly 60% of electricity comes from renewables<\/strong>, and the country produces copper and lithium \u2013 key battery minerals. In addition, the transport sector accounts for 22% to 25% of CO\u2082 emissions<\/strong> and consumes 99% of imported fossil fuels<\/strong>. \u201cElectromobility is an opportunity to become more energy independent,\u201d<\/strong> he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Among the pending regulatory challenges, Hunter mentioned the need to extend the EV registration fee exemption (currently about to expire) and, above all, redesign the electricity tariff<\/strong>. The current structure penalizes users who draw high power \u2013 even occasionally \u2013 making high-power charging infrastructure unviable on highways. \u201cIf we move toward electricity regulation that accounts for these new uses, we will advance electromobility,\u201d<\/strong> he argued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both panelists welcomed the fact that the Chilean government is working on a new National Electromobility Strategy<\/strong> to be launched soon, with active input from ANAC AG<\/strong>. \u201cThe new authorities are in favor of making changes,\u201d<\/strong> Pe\u00f1a added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Successful Models: Charging as a Service, Last Mile, and Second Life for Batteries<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pedro Pe\u00f1a<\/strong> shared the business models that Sotraser<\/strong> has successfully implemented. The most relevant is Charging as a Service<\/strong>: users pay only for the kilowatt consumed, without absorbing the high CAPEX for infrastructure \u2013 turning investment into an operating expense (OPEX). \u201cThe more the truck works, the easier it is to cover the technology\u2019s extra costs,\u201d<\/strong> he explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sotraser<\/strong> is also building a virtuous electromobility circle<\/strong> with a startup: refurbishing batteries from used vehicles into stationary storage systems<\/strong> paired with photovoltaic panels. \u201cA vehicle reaching the end of its useful life doesn\u2019t mean the battery no longer works \u2013 it just no longer has the same range. We can use it to store energy.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gustavo Hunter<\/strong> added that the last-mile segment<\/strong> has worked very well as a business model in Chile. Operators build their own electro-terminals, charge vehicles during off-peak hours, and make urban deliveries. Public transport is also a success story: cities like Copiap\u00f3<\/strong> already have 100% electric fleets, and in Santiago, 60% of buses are expected to be electric this year<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hunter highlighted the impact on the taxi sector: \u201cA taxi driver used to pay $200 a day on fuel; today with electromobility they pay between $40 and $50 \u2013 about a fifth.\u201d<\/strong> He also noted that mining companies are testing electric trucks which, on downhill routes from the mine to the port, recover up to 80% of the battery through regenerative braking<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chile<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regional Alliances: Standardization and Regulatory Harmonization<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Responding to Kathy Ardila<\/strong>\u2019s question about strengthening alliances across countries, Pedro Pe\u00f1a<\/strong> was emphatic: the top priority is defining a single charging connector standard<\/strong> that allows trouble-free travel from one country to another. In Chile, after an initial phase with multiple standards (Chademo, GBT), CCS (the European standard)<\/strong> was adopted \u2013 which has simplified purchasing different truck brands and reselling used vehicles. \u201cAs a region, we must agree on one connector type.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gustavo Hunter<\/strong> agreed and added that weight and dimension regulations for long-haul trucks<\/strong> also need harmonization, along with sharing experiences on tax incentives \u2013 like those Colombia<\/strong> has implemented (zero tariff, VAT exemption for EVs). \u201cGovernments are looking at these experiences to boost sales.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hunter noted that Latin America is already generating integration in software development for fleet and charging management<\/strong> \u2013 an area where experienced Chilean companies are replicating their solutions in other countries. \u201cHardware isn\u2019t made here, but software is, and that support is key for users.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Next Big Meeting in Medell\u00edn<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The webinar ended with a call to keep building sustainable mobility in person. Kathy Ardila<\/strong> thanked the panelists and reminded that dialogue and alliances are the engine of energy transformation in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ideal setting is Latam Mobility Colombia 2026<\/a><\/strong>, taking place on June 10 and 11<\/strong> at the Orquideorama of Medell\u00edn\u2019s Botanical Garden<\/strong> \u2013 a venue that will bring together leaders, companies, governments, and academics to continue defining strategies that accelerate the transition toward zero- and low-emission mobility across Latin America<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The invitation is open to all ecosystem players who want to be part of the change. Get your tickets here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n