Rising local brands and new government incentives are powering rapid electric vehicle growth across South America.
Chinese automakers are powering a rapid rise in electric vehicle (EV) adoption across South America, filling a gap left by Tesla, which remains largely absent from the region despite growing consumer interest.
When Peruvian green energy entrepreneur Luis Zwiebach set out to buy an EV in 2019, Tesla had no importer in Peru and navigating customs was nearly impossible. He eventually bought a used Model 3 from a private owner and improvised a grounding system with a metal fork to charge it at a beach house. While Tesla still has no official presence, EV buyers now have a wide range of affordable options as Chinese brands flood the market.
Models from BYD, Geely, GWM and Chery priced at nearly 60% less than a Tesla have transformed the landscape, alongside hybrid and electric offerings from Toyota, Hyundai and Kia. Hybrid and EV sales hit a record 7,256 units in the first nine months of 2025 in Peru, up 44% over the previous year, though still a small share of total auto sales.
A major catalyst has been the launch of the Chinese-built Port of Chancay, which has sharply reduced shipping times from Asia and opened the door to a surge in vehicle imports. With trade barriers rising in the United States and Europe, Chinese manufacturers are accelerating their push into Latin America, setting up dozens of new dealerships in Peru alone.
Zwiebach said demand is now strong enough that he has expanded his own renewables business to install EV chargers, solar panels and related systems. “The electric car is doing very well here,” he said. “You just plug it in at home, like a phone.”
