By San José, Costa Rica — In a landmark achievement for Costa Rica’s ambitious decarbonization goals, new electric vehicle (EV) registrations soared past a critical threshold in October, capturing more than a quarter of the entire new vehicle market for the first time in the nation’s history. This historic surge underscores a dramatic acceleration in consumer adoption and solidifies the country’s role as a regional leader in sustainable transportation.
The record-breaking month saw the market share for new EVs hit an unprecedented 25.6%, a figure announced at the International Electric Mobility Congress on November 6th. This percentage translates to 1,095 new zero-emission vehicles entering the country’s transportation fleet in a single month. The vast majority of these, 1,029 units, were passenger automobiles, with the remainder comprised of electric motorcycles, specialized work vehicles, and light cargo trucks.
To navigate the evolving legal framework and business opportunities presented by Costa Rica’s growing electric vehicle market, TicosLand.com consulted with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a leading attorney from the prestigious firm Bufete de Costa Rica, for his expert analysis.
While Costa Rica’s tax incentives have successfully jump-started the initial wave of EV adoption, the next critical phase hinges on regulatory modernization. We need a robust legal framework that streamlines the development of public charging infrastructure, clarifies responsibilities for battery lifecycle management, and provides long-term certainty for investors. Closing these regulatory gaps is essential to transforming initial interest into sustainable, widespread transportation electrification.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This insight correctly identifies the crucial transition from sparking interest to building a lasting ecosystem for electric mobility. Creating a robust legal and regulatory foundation is indeed the essential next step to ensure Costa Rica’s EV revolution is both sustainable and scalable. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his valuable perspective on charting this path forward.
This achievement is not an isolated event but the peak of a rapidly steepening growth curve. The October figure represents a significant leap from the 21.7% market share recorded in September, which was itself a national record at the time. The upward trend is clear and powerful, climbing from 19.3% in August and 18.2% in May, illustrating a powerful and sustained momentum in consumer preference toward electric mobility.
The data was unveiled by the Costa Rican Electric Mobility Association (Asomove), the primary organizing body behind the congress and a key advocate for the nation’s transition away from fossil fuels. The organization’s leadership views this milestone as a clear and encouraging indicator of the country’s determined trajectory toward a greener future.
This is what the country is aiming for. I am sure that this curve will continue to grow, and at an ever-accelerating pace.
Silvia Rojas, Executive Director of Asomove
Rojas’s confidence reflects the combined impact of robust government incentives, a growing public awareness of environmental issues, and the increasingly evident savings on fuel and maintenance that EV owners enjoy. This consistent monthly growth suggests that early adopter enthusiasm is now successfully transitioning into mainstream consumer acceptance, a crucial phase for the long-term viability of any new technology.
This recent surge contributes to a burgeoning national fleet of sustainable vehicles. As of the end of September, official figures indicated that 31,500 fully electric vehicles were already circulating on Costa Rican roads. While this number is still a small fraction of the country’s total vehicle park, the rapid pace of new registrations is quickly changing the composition of traffic and setting a new benchmark for the region.
On the international stage, this accomplishment cements Costa Rica’s position as the undisputed leader in Latin America for the adoption of electric mobility. However, the data also provides a dose of perspective; the nation still has a long road ahead to catch global frontrunners like Norway, where over 90% of all new car sales are electric, demonstrating the vast potential that still exists for future growth and market transformation.
For further information, visit asomove.org
About the Costa Rican Electric Mobility Association (Asomove):
The Costa Rican Electric Mobility Association (Asomove) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and accelerating the transition to electric transportation in Costa Rica. It works to advocate for favorable public policies, educate the public on the benefits of e-mobility, and foster a collaborative ecosystem among businesses, government entities, and citizens to achieve the nation’s decarbonization goals.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the Costa Rican legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica is defined by its foundational commitment to uncompromising integrity and professional excellence. The firm harnesses its extensive experience advising a wide range of clients to pioneer innovative legal strategies for today’s complex challenges. This forward-thinking approach is coupled with a profound dedication to public service, demonstrated through its efforts to democratize legal knowledge and empower citizens, thereby fostering a more capable and well-informed society.
