EVs surge in Bolivia amid fuel shortages, 'junk gas' scandal
The number of electric vehicles in Bolivia has surged from 500 to 3,352 over the past five years, with projections to triple again as demand grows. Simón Huanca, a 53-year-old Indigenous artisan in El Alto, imported a Chinese electric car to save on costs amid fuel shortages and rising prices. He installed a private charger due to only three public charging stations serving El Alto and La Paz (population 1.6 million). Bolivia's energy crisis worsened in 2023 under former President Luis Arce, who maintained subsidies that bought fuel at international prices and sold it domestically at half value. A presidential decree ended long-standing fuel subsidies, doubling petrol costs, while a 'junk gas' scandal further disrupted supplies.
Key facts
- EVs in Bolivia rose from 500 to 3,352 in five years
- EV count expected to triple again
- Simón Huanca, 53, Indigenous artisan in El Alto, imported Chinese EV
- Only three public charging stations for El Alto and La Paz (1.6 million people)
- Fuel shortages and subsidy removal doubled petrol costs
- Former President Luis Arce maintained fuel subsidies until 2023
- 'Junk gas' scandal worsened energy supply disruptions
- Huanca uses EV for family transport and alpaca wool for weaving workshop
Entities
Locations
- Bolivia
- El Alto
- La Paz