Argentina to create low-emission vehicle charging point registry, map

Argentina’s federal energy department issued a resolution designed to support growth of the country’s low-emission vehicle sector.

The resolution instructs authorities to create a national registry and public map of charging infrastructure for fully electric vehicles and hybrids.

Infrastructure owners are required to provide details such as charger brand and model, location, charging speed, capacity, electricity rates and electricity distributor.

It is “vital to create and develop a standardization system of public electric vehicle charging infrastructure, ensuring the delivery to users of basic information on technical characteristics, location and availability of every charger, so that electromobility can develop in the country,” the resolution states.

Some hybrids, known as plug-in hybrids, can connect to an external power supply to charge a battery pack.

In the first half of 2023, 4,672 electric and hybrid vehicles were registered in Argentina, up 31.9% year-on-year, market statistics company SIOMAA said in a report shared with BNamericas. Around 85% were hybrid (HEV) models. 

By technology, growth of mild hybrids (MHEV) was 244%, HEV 25.1% and fully electric (BEV) 70.0%. Mild hybrids use a battery and electric motor to help power the vehicle.

Today, 34 models offered by 17 brands are retailed in Argentina, the report said. Toyota has a market share of roughly 80%, supported by the sale of cars from Mercosur trade bloc partner Brazil, which enjoy 0% duty. 

In April, the Argentine government announced a bill to promote domestic production of electric vehicles and hybrids. 

In January-June, overall 222,203 cars and light commercial vehicles were registered in Argentina, up 13.4%.

In neighboring Chile, in terms of units sold, in January-July sales of low and zero-emission vehicles (light- and medium-duty) climbed 13.2% to 4,200 units, according to the country's motor trade chamber Anac. 

Registration of fully electric vehicles climbed 10.5% to 823 units. Other categories (hybrid 1,795), mild hybrid (1,225), plug-in hybrids (188), extended-range electric (166) and hydrogen (3), accounted for the balance.

Chile’s energy ministry has introduced secondary legislation on electric vehicle charging point interoperability and standards.