The National Association of Bus, Truck, and Tractor-Trailer Manufacturers (ANPACT) has asked the federal government to advance a more strategic distribution of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) along Mexico’s highway corridors, at a time when regulations require the sale of new units only with engines featuring new technologies, such as Euro VI.

Rogelio Arzate, ANPACT’s executive president, explained in conversation with T21 that the vehicles currently offered by the associated companies already operate exclusively with Euro VI technologies , which require DUBA for optimal operation.

“We see that ultra-low sulfur diesel is available in Mexico,” Arzate stated, based on studies and sampling conducted by the association. However, he acknowledged that work is still needed on signage at service stations and ensuring consistency of supply.

He indicated that ANPACT has provided information to the government to identify the areas where this fuel is most needed , and is maintaining dialogue with the Ministry of Energy to strengthen the supply network.

Regarding the trade outlook, Arzate warned that tariff issues generate uncertainty and do not benefit the North American region. He reiterated the organization’s stance in favor of free trade and dialogue as a way to resolve differences among partners in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) . “The agreement is what works and what will make us stronger as a region,” he stated.

Among the association’s priority projects, it highlighted fleet renewal , the reduction of imported used vehicles, and the review of regulatory aspects at key points such as the border crossing.

In the same context, Alejandro Osorio, Director of Public Affairs and Communications at ANPACT, warned that Mexico still has a long way to go in terms of electric mobility . Of a fleet of 1.6 million heavy vehicles, 500 are electric, although the figure rises to 900 if trolleybuses are included.

Osorio explained that the transformation toward clean technologies requires more than vehicles and that it is essential to have adequate business models, charging infrastructure, and financing schemes.

He also mentioned that hydrogen is beginning to gain ground as a viable alternative, although for now, the recharging stations are private.

Finally, he acknowledged that some Chinese brands have gained ground in Mexico with aggressive marketing strategies and competitive prices, especially in the light vehicle segment.

Comment and follow us on X: @karinaquintero / @GrupoT21

El cargo ANPACT helps improve the distribution of DUBA routes apareció primero en T21.

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.

Comment and follow us on X: @karinaquintero  / @GrupoT21

El cargo Fleet electrification: an opportunity and challenge for Mexico apareció primero en T21.