Decarbonizing the transportation sector requires efforts across multiple avenues. This includes not only adopting the technology currently available in the industry, but also requires infrastructure development and, of course, charting a course to ensure these measures reach all market segments.
Within the framework of the ANPACT Forum : “Decarbonization of Passenger and Cargo Transportation in Mexico ,” energy sector, government, and academic specialists concluded that the lack of infrastructure is essential for the country’s decarbonization progress, not only in terms of electrification but also in other technologies.
A key point is to have clear rules for participation in the energy market, a level playing field for private sector participation, and defined incentives for adopting certain technologies such as electromobility, said Sofía Ramírez, general director of México Cómo Vamos.
Ramírez explained that a key point is understanding the different layers of the market and how to address the incorporation of the various segments, since micro and small businesses cannot be served in the same way as large ones.
“The most important challenge is to recover the transmission and distribution backlog, which is essential for delivering energy to charging points. In 10 years, no investment has been made in networks,” said Casiopea Ramírez, partner at Fresh Energy Consulting.
This is regarding the topic of electrification. However, for the adoption of new technologies, a comprehensive strategy is necessary, since currently the importation of used vehicles discourages any strategy,Casiopea Ramírez emphasized.
According to figures from the National Association of Bus, Truck, and Tractor-Trailer Producers (ANPACT) , 29,790 used imported vehicles were imported in 2024, representing a 47.9% increase compared to the previous year. For reference, 57,106 units were sold at retail during the same cycle, meaning imports accounted for 52% of national sales.
On the official front, Rodolfo Osorio, director of Electromobility at the Ministry of Economy, described efforts in this area as being driven by inter-institutional collaboration and close contact with vehicle manufacturers. Plan Mexico also includes incentives for nearshoring and infrastructure.
Regarding cross-border transportation, Alfredo Martínez Morales, professor and researcher at the Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CERT) at the University of California, Riverside , described that there are long-term plans and that despite the current situation of President Donald Trump’s administration, deadlines are set.
