The director of the Mexican Association for the Promotion of Electric Vehicles (AMIVE), Diana Ávalos, said that electrification represents a great opportunity for the country, partly due to its enormous commercial fleet, which ranks fifth worldwide , however, she highlighted the need to have adequate infrastructure , since the lack of charging stations is one of the biggest obstacles to wider adoption.
In this regard, Ávalos highlighted that the shift towards electric mobility would help reduce CO₂ emissions, improve air quality in cities and generate significant savings for companies that electrify their fleets.
However, he warned that this process will require strategic planning for the installation of charging stations , because currently the Mexican electrical system is not prepared to meet this demand without major adjustments.
“We cannot simply place charging stations wherever we want; the national electrical system requires investments and improvements in transmission and distribution,” explained Ávalos during the conference Opportunities for the electrification of commercial fleets , within the framework of the Transport Logistics Forum, held in León, Guanajuato.
He also said that electrification of fleets could be particularly beneficial for last-mile transport, given that these vehicles travel long distances and have high operating costs.
He mentioned as an example that companies such as DHL and Grupo Modelo have already begun to electrify their delivery fleets, observing a positive impact on their operating costs . However, Ávalos stressed that these advances are limited by the lack of high-power chargers necessary for heavy-duty vehicles.
“It is essential that the government and companies collaborate to establish shared freight yards, especially in strategic transportation corridors,” said Ávalos.
Another challenge facing Mexico is the limited capacity to generate and distribute electricity.
“In densely populated cities, the electrical system would not be able to support the volume of chargers required in homes and businesses, so it is necessary to consider alternatives such as shared charging centers,” he explained.
In this context, he pointed out the example of Hermosillo, where the electrification of the patrol fleet was complemented with solar panels in the loading yards, which allows for a reduction in costs in the long term.
Ávalos also highlighted the United States’ interest in the electrification of its cargo vehicles, driven by tax incentives and subsidy programs. However, he warned about the differences between the two countries in terms of infrastructure and resources.
The director of AMIVE highlighted the need to view the electrification of fleets as a business opportunity and as a catalyst for technological development in Mexico.
In his view, the country has the potential to become a producer and developer of electric vehicles and not just a consumer market.
“Mexico has a robust automotive industry and skilled people. We must focus not only on assembling, but on developing our own technology,” said Ávalos.
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