In an exclusive interview with Portal Movilidad, Chile’s Subsecretary of Energy, Francisco López, offered his vision of what 2021 left behind in terms of progress in electromobility.

«The balance we make for the year 2021 is very positive, in the context of progressing with a 360º vision for the development of electromobility, since we are making progress in every area in order to make electric mobility more harmonious, safe and sustainable. We highlight, for example, that the number of electric vehicles has almost quadrupled compared to the previous year, we met our goal of increasing at least 10 times the number of electric vehicles circulating on our streets; by December 2021, we have 2,720 electric vehicles, including cars, buses and trucks,» said the official.

With regard to public access charging infrastructure, he pointed out that Chile now has more than 300 charging points, in other words, at least one public charger in each region of the country, with coverage in 94 municipalities.

In terms of human capital, he pointed out that electromobility occupational profiles are already available in the ChileValora catalogue, thanks to the efforts and coordination of both the public and private sectors.

Francisco López added: «Regarding the normative and regulatory, we highlight the call to participate in public consultations on the regulation that establishes the procedure for setting vehicle energy efficiency standards and the necessary rules for its implementation; the Preliminary Technical Report for the establishment of the vehicle energy efficiency standard for light motor vehicles, regulation establishing the interoperability of electric vehicle charging systems; regulation establishing requirements for transformation of vehicles powered by internal combustion engine to electric propulsion; and, the public consultation to the National Electromobility Strategy».

He also highlighted the Electromobility Platform, which already has more than 100,000 monthly sessions at national and international level, compiling all the necessary and updated information on electromobility. As well as the 1st International Electromobility Summit, which brought together experts in the field within the framework of the new National Electromobility Strategy.

Portal Movilidad asked the official if all the goals set for 2021 were achieved. He replied: «We made great progress, among which we highlight that during 2021 more homologations were carried out than in the previous year, increasing our electric vehicle supply. In addition, sales almost quadrupled compared to the previous year, reaching 2,720 electric vehicles, including cars, buses and trucks.

At the same time, he highlighted that many organisations have incorporated electric vehicles into their vehicle fleet and that within the framework of charging infrastructure regulations, more than 400 electric vehicle installations have been registered through TE6 to date.

«There are 154 electromobility products authorised for use in charging infrastructure installations. This is thanks to close collaboration with the Superintendency of Electricity and Fuels,» he said.

In the context of the Public-Private Electromobility Agreement, the training of human capital is highlighted, with more than 5,000 people trained in electromobility, including high schools, colleges, technical training centres, universities, car supply companies, among others.

«In terms of promoting new uses of electromobility, we highlight the launch of Mi Taxi Eléctrico, achieving the replacement of 50 internal combustion taxis with electric vehicles in the Metropolitan Region, and which also opened its new version for the replacement of 150 additional electric vehicles in different regions of the country,» said the Undersecretary of Energy.

He concluded: «In addition, we highlight the Electrologistics Experience in the country, through a pilot project that was a success, monitoring 7 electric vehicles for two months with the participation of different actors that are part of the Public-Private Agreement on Electromobility 2021. Finally, the formalisation of the Sustainable Electromobility Acceleration Centre will undoubtedly bring about the acceleration of this technology in the coming years».