During the first four months of 2021, interest in hybrid vehicles, as evidenced by the number of Internet searches and mentions in conversations in the digital environment, increased in all Central American markets.
Through a system that monitors in real time the changes in the interests and preferences of consumers in Central American countries, developed by CentralAmericaData, it is possible to project short and long term demand trends for the different products, services, sectors and markets operating in the region.
At the regional level, the number of interactions in the digital environment associated with SUVs, trucks, hybrid cars and microcars has increased in this context of new commercial reality.
Through a system that monitors in real time changes in consumer interests and preferences in Central American countries, developed by CentralAmericaData, it is possible to project short and long term demand trends for different types of furniture, products, services, sectors and markets operating in the region.
In the last two months of the year, the Costa Rican Electricity Institute will install 28 new battery recharging stations for this type of vehicle at various points nationwide.
Because the new stations are quick rechargeable, they will be able to charge the battery of electric cars in less than 40 minutes and will have the most popular types of connectors globally.
New models, better financing conditions and increased imports of used units would boost the sale of electric vehicles next year in Costa Rica.
Danissa, Q Group, BMW and Laudreni Auto, agencies in the country dedicated to marketing electric vehicles, estimate that between 2019 and 2020 their combined sales will increase by 45%, from 342 to 497 units.
Favorable financing conditions for the purchase of this type of vehicle and lower rates for freight services are part of the actions proposed by the government of Costa Rica to boost sales of electric vehicles.
The state-owned Banco Popular, Banco Nacional and Banco de Costa Rica are the financial entities that will offer attractive conditions in their credit lines for the purchase of electric transportation units.
Currently, the average engine size of new cars sold in Guatemala is 1,485 cc, while in 2011, the average size was around 1,625 cc.
Figures from CentralAmericaData's report entitled "Central American Vehicle Park" show that between 2011 and 2017, the average engine size of the vans sold in Guatemala was also reduced, as in 2011 average engine capacity was 2,962 cc, while in 2017 this figure is around 2,419 cc.
The Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad is preparing a tender in which it plans to allocate $5 million for the acquisition of 100 electric vehicles.
The tender also includes the purchase of 100 chargers. Nacion.com reports that"... the details of the brands and models of the equipment have yet to be defined."
The tax exemption enjoyed by these vehicles is one of the factors driving their sales in the country, where three agencies are now marketing them and two are preparing their market entry.
Dealerships that have ventured into selling hybrid vehicles in recent years say the rise in sales is mainly due to these types of cars being exempt from vehicle restrictions in force in the country and because they only pay 10% of the selective consumption tax instead of 30% paid by conventional vehicles.