A regulatory framework is urgently needed to advance sustainable mobility in Latin America

T21 Media — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 22:29:51 +0000

Over the past five years, Latin America has made progress in sustainable mobility, with Chile being the country with the most actions in this area; however, some issues remain, such as the regulatory framework and carrying out profitable projects and infrastructure , according to industry specialists.

Lala Céspedes, CEO & Co-founder of Singular City , said that while the model of fleet electrification , the use of clean energy, and other issues that contribute to sustainable mobility are evolving within the region, in Argentina, for example, despite the openness of the market, financing, and public policies, a regulatory framework that provides solidity to the projects is still required .

“To be competitive regionally, we need to plan for that next step, to plan for that solidity for companies that are going to invest and become a benchmark, to have an initial capital expenditure within a model structure. We are in a growth process, that’s from Argentina, but we do see that regionally it is increasingly necessary to define a regulatory framework with stakeholders from the entire value chain,” he explained in the webinar LATAM: Roadmap 2026 for Mobility and Energy .

He also pointed out the need to identify profitable projects, plan them and implement them, because in Latin America there are several pilot tests, “but they are not clearly aligned as a region, as micro-regions.”

He indicated that Chile is leading the way in public policy , with a long-term perspective, to implement systems, while Colombia has strengthened the contractual system, Brazil has made progress with electric or hybrid vehicles, but a more macro “view” like that of Europe is required and “not to be like little lights, each one exploring and being regional laboratories.”

Meanwhile, Alex Ascón, senior consultant at Urban Wave , mentioned that the technology used in these types of units is already validated, and that vehicle prices are now more accessible than they were five years ago due to the significant presence of Chinese brands in Latin America.

“We see that the biggest gap that would accelerate progress in Peru is the charging infrastructure , which continues to be one of the areas where investment is said to be very high compared to other technologies. The vehicle itself is no longer the main obstacle; Chinese brands are the ones that have managed to moderate prices,” he stated.

He stressed that having an infrastructure plan like Chile’s would help to boost this sector in the rest of the countries in the region.

For her part, Pamela Peña, BD Manager Smart Mobility at Hiberus, stated that what is “moving the needle” this year is the direct subsidy , but also legal certainty and standardization in the region.

He said that countries like Chile have worked on interoperability, allowing any user to use the charging infrastructure across the network, becoming a facilitator and “eliminating the fear of autonomy”; in addition, there is significant private investment.

“We have a large fleet, certainly not comparable to Brazil’s, which is immense, or Mexico’s, but it’s not a small fleet, and we also have a fairly limited fleet turnover; companies don’t usually keep their fleets for more than two to four years at most, and that gives a different perspective to all the variables we have to consider. This democratization of sustainable mobility allows SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) to also renew their fleets, which is a vital point for logistics. Another interesting point is the financing options available for buses, especially in cities like Bogotá and Mexico City,” he stated.

In that sense, he anticipated that by 2026 the market for light electric vehicles in Chile and the region is expected to reach a historic milestone of penetration due to regulations that the countries have in common .

Meanwhile, Israel Galván, senior business developer at Autocab , explained that in Mexico there are tax benefits, such as exemption from tax payments, verifications, and the adoption of the natural gas conversion option.

“In some ways we are making progress, and being a country with a lot of technology, we are learning from the Chilean and Brazilian models. The government has also been promoting the electrification of vehicles. We are moving forward,” he emphasized.

Comment and follow us on LinkedIn: @Evangelina del Toro / @GrupoT21

El cargo A regulatory framework is urgently needed to advance sustainable mobility in Latin America apareció primero en T21.

SAAM celebrated a historic milestone for Chile and Latin America with the christening of the Trapananda, the region’s first electric tugboat , a key step in the maritime sector’s energy transition and a concrete step toward more sustainable operations.

The vessel is distinguished by its zero direct carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions and its ability to reduce underwater noise radiation, protecting marine life and actively contributing to the decarbonization of the port sector. Thanks to a strategic collaboration with Enap , the electric tugboat will operate in one of the southernmost terminals in the world—Puerto Chacabuco, in the Aysén Region—supporting vessel berthing and unberthing maneuvers.

“The arrival of the Trapananda marks a turning point for our industry. We are moving forward with conviction toward cleaner, more efficient, and environmentally friendly operations. This project represents a vision for the future: we develop solutions that not only tow and assist vessels, but also drive a shift toward a truly sustainable logistics chain. Along this path, we have found in Enap a partner with a shared vision,” said Macario Valdés, General Manager of SAAM.

Operated by a local SAAM team trained in high-precision maneuvers, this unit joins the two electric tugs the company already has in Canada.

“At Enap, we have a clear mandate: to ensure a reliable, efficient, and quality energy supply for Chile. But today, that mandate demands more than compliance; it demands transformation. In our 80-year history, we reaffirm our commitment to the country by innovating responsibly and with a vision for the future. The incorporation of this tugboat, the result of a virtuous alliance with SAAM, demonstrates that when the public and private sectors work decisively together, it is possible to make progress on complex challenges such as decarbonization. This step is a concrete sign that we can indeed accelerate the energy transition through collaboration and action,” added Gloria Maldonado, Chairwoman of Enap’s Board of Directors.

The christening ceremony for this vessel, held at the Empormontt Passenger Terminal , brought together local authorities, executives from both companies, and representatives of the maritime port community, marking a key moment in the evolution toward a cleaner and more efficient industry.

Trapananda

The tugboat was named Trapananda in honor of the ancient name for Chilean Patagonia , a remote, untamed land covered in dense jungle, which for early Spanish explorers represented an uncharted and challenging territory.

With this name, SAAM seeks to pay tribute to the history, strength, and unique beauty of southern Chile , where this ship will begin operations.

Technical details

It measures 25 meters in length and 13 meters in width. It has a bollard pulling capacity of over 70 tons , enabling it to assist large vessels in challenging port conditions. It is equipped with two 2,100 kW electric azimuth thrusters, powered by a 3,616 kWh lithium-ion battery, distributed across two compartments.

Its design —created by Robert Allan Ltd. and built by the Sanmar shipyard in Turkey— is optimized to reduce hull resistance while maximizing energy efficiency. The batteries, remotely monitored by the manufacturer in Norway, have an estimated lifespan of 10 years.

Comment and follow us on X: @GrupoT21

CHILI archivos - T21

A regulatory framework is urgently needed to advance sustainable mobility in Latin America

SAAM and Enap introduce Latin America’s first electric tugboat.