{"id":66815,"date":"2026-06-16T05:05:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T10:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/latamobility.com\/?p=66815"},"modified":"2026-06-12T10:34:16","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T15:34:16","slug":"cien-by-internacional-de-electricos-presents-charging-network-to-transform-the-user-experience","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/latamobility.com\/en\/cien-by-internacional-de-electricos-presents-charging-network-to-transform-the-user-experience\/","title":{"rendered":"CIEN by Internacional de El\u00e9ctricos Presents Charging Network to Transform the User Experience"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
During the eighth edition of \u201cLatam Mobility Colombia 2026,\u201d<\/strong> held in Medell\u00edn, Deibit Lozano Grimaldo<\/strong>, CEO of CIEN by Internacional de El\u00e9ctricos (IE)<\/strong> , delivered a keynote titled \u201cElectric mobility goes to CIEN: the model Colombia was waiting for.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Lozano began his presentation with figures reflecting the current state of electric mobility in Colombia: 80,000 electric vehicles on the road<\/strong> and 520 charging points<\/strong> available, of which 30% are not working properly.<\/strong> Faced with this reality, he asked a provocative question: \u201cWould we call that a network?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For CIEN<\/strong>\u2019s CEO, the problem is not the vehicle, nor the lack of demand, nor the absence of incentives. \u201cWe know there are many incentives and they are excellent,\u201d he said. The real challenge lies in infrastructure and, above all, the user experience.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cA network that doesn\u2019t focus on the user experience is the problem. The call is to focus on user experience and impact,\u201d<\/strong> he stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You might also be interested in | Toyota presents its technology diversification strategy at Latam Mobility Colombia 2026: \u201cOne path for every destination\u201d<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Lozano explained that CIEN<\/strong> was born under a unique ecosystem, integrating multiple business units that converge on the user experience. On one hand, energy: to bring electrification to the vehicle network, substations, transmission cells, transformation, and protection systems are required. On the other hand, telecommunications: \u201cA network without proper telecommunications is an intermittent network that fails to generate trust.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, lighting plays a central role: all the charging stations CIEN<\/strong> is installing are user experience spaces, not simple pedestals. Each charging point includes a connection hotspot to solve the recurring problem of lack of data signal on national highways or remote areas. \u201cThe problem is not infrastructure or software, but the system,\u201d<\/strong> he emphasized.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Industry and automation are another fundamental pillar. To manage OPEX and make projects viable, the stations feature automation and remote control that allow asset management from a distance and optimization of operating costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lozano backed his proposal with Internacional de El\u00e9ctricos<\/strong>\u2019 track record: more than 30 years in the market, over $100 million in sales<\/strong>, 120 million software transactions<\/strong>, and 40% market share<\/strong> in toll software in Colombia, with presence also in Mexico and Paraguay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe don\u2019t just charge vehicles; we charge trust,\u201d<\/strong> Lozano said. To achieve this, CIEN<\/strong> has developed a mobile app with unique features that value the user\u2019s time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Charger reservation<\/strong> is one of the key innovations. Faced with high demand and risk of saturation, the app allows users to reserve a charger for the same day or the next day, with a 15-minute window to arrive. If not used, the connector is released at minute 16 and the absent user receives a penalty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhen you reserve, you organize your time, you plan your time. You know that when you arrive, the charger will be available for you,\u201d<\/strong> he explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another recurring problem is charger hogging<\/strong>: vehicles that finish charging and remain connected for hours. CIEN<\/strong> implemented an inactivity fee<\/strong> to educate the market. \u201cHuman beings, unfortunately, have to be educated through their wallets. When you tell them that the car preventing others from accessing the service will cost them, they will automatically move it,\u201d<\/strong> he noted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Personalized billing<\/strong> is another differentiating feature. The user decides how to pay and who to bill: if on a company assignment, the charge can be invoiced to the company, not the individual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYou have the ease of deciding with which payment and billing profile. Like when you\u2019re at a gas station and they ask you who you want the invoice in the name of,\u201d<\/strong> Lozano compared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lozano emphasized that infrastructure is just the beginning; the most important thing is how the network is operated. CIEN<\/strong> is governed by six principles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Speed at 100<\/strong> (don\u2019t delay responding to the customer), simplicity<\/strong> (avoid unnecessary technicalities), resolution<\/strong> (solve problems honestly and explain what cannot be solved), empathy<\/strong> (put yourself in the shoes of those who don\u2019t know electromobility), honesty<\/strong> (tell it like it is), and mutual respect<\/strong> (demand respect and also respect the user).<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cVolume scales, but commitment does not. Commitment remains super strong. We don\u2019t lie. I didn\u2019t come to tell you what we are going to do; I came to tell you what we are doing,\u201d<\/strong> he stressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As proof of the effectiveness of their model, Lozano presented a success story: in just four months, in an intermediate city, CIEN<\/strong> achieved 2,200 users<\/strong>, 4,500 charging sessions<\/strong>, 80,000 kWh supplied<\/strong>, and 99.8% uptime<\/strong> at its stations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n CIEN<\/strong> also announced a development plan with an investment of more than 20 billion Colombian pesos<\/strong> over the next 18 months. By June 2026, the company projects having more than 100 charging stations<\/strong> and more than 500 connectors<\/strong> deployed in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Finally, Deibit Lozano<\/strong> explained that CIEN<\/strong> opted for WhatsApp<\/strong> as the main communication channel. \u201cWe communicate to the user how their charge is going, when it finishes, and even when it will enter the inactivity period.\u201d<\/strong> This strategy generates empathy and keeps the user informed without relying on intrusive cell phone notifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, CIEN<\/strong>\u2019s representative said memberships bring simplicity. For vehicle fleets (for example, from platforms like Uber<\/strong>), there is no need for each driver to top up a wallet or register a credit card. The company offers kilowatt packages with biweekly or monthly billing to the corporate entity, simplifying management for the driver.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Payment freedom is guaranteed through a gateway developed and integrated with Bancolombia<\/strong> and Wompi<\/strong>, offering security and flexibility with all available payment methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lozano concluded by stating, \u201cAt CIEN we work to ensure that there are more and more charging options along the road. Our stations are beginning to connect destinations and facilitate the journeys of those who choose this form of mobility.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Latam Mobility 2026 Tour<\/strong> will continue in Santiago, Chile on August 25<\/a><\/strong>, bringing together experts and strategic players to further strengthen the sustainable mobility ecosystem in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\nCIEN By IE: Convergence Of Energy, Communications And Automation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Trust As A Core Value<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Six Principles To Operate The Network<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Direct Communication<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A Year 2026 of Consolidation for Mobility<\/h2>\n\n\n\n