The exponential increase in electric vehicles exhibits the lack of infrastructure at load points

The last report of the Uruguay Automotive Trade Association (Acau) He stressed that the sale of electric cars in the country reached a new record during the first semester of the year, testing the infrastructure of the load points that could fall into a collapse if no measures are taken soon.

With sales that reached more than 5,000 units during the first six months of the year, representing an increase of 124% year -on -year, the electric car market does not stop growing exponentially compared to a structural reality in the service stations and in its load points that would seem to not be able to cover with the demand.

In that sense, the Uruguayan company dedicated to electromobility solutions, Eve-Move, raised during an appearance in the Industry Commission in it Senate than the Uruguay He could face a serious “bottleneck” in one of the sectors of greater economic growth, according to Search.

Deported demand and problems with UTE

The company’s director, Federico Arismendi, He commented that the International Energy Agency (IE) He estimates that at a global level there is an average of eleven cars per load point, while in the Uruguay The relationship rises to 50 for each. “If we disaggregate the map and leave only the fast chargers, we no longer have as many points as we thought. This is the explanation of why there are many times waiting and endless queues are generated,” explained the director of Eve-Move.

In that sense, the director estimated that the country would have to add at least 100 more quick loaders in the next two years, which represents duplicating the current capacity. However, the representative explained that there are some cons in the development of infrastructure, including UTE as one of the determining actors.

The state company, on the one hand, concentrates a large part of the business, since it is a loading operator, energy supplier, service seller and platform developer to manage the network. “On the one hand, it sells us energy and, on the other hand, it competes at prices that are even below what our customers buy. Therefore, there is precisely a lag regarding the price,” explained the businessman.

In addition, he explained that for the authorization of a new charger, the prior consultation to UTE to have knowledge about the availability of power. However, the state company does not have defined times to give an answer, while the costs of civil works could triple the values ​​that it originally has UTE, which makes some projects unfeasible.

Government’s actions

In this framework of electric cars growth, the National Fuel Administration, Alcohol and Portland (ANCAP) The first service station for electric cars inaugurated in the middle of last month. The state company opened the first Electric Station with the objective of “providing a Comprehensive Service To customers, “said the president of the state oil company, Cecilia San Román.

This is the first load space for electric cars, which integrates not only the corresponding infrastructure for such action, but also with customer service, health, convenience store and digital tools for the management and payment of the load.

“It is part of the policy that Ancap is traveling towards Sustainable mobility. Is to enhance attention to electric vehicles In this transition to the renewable, “said the hierarchy; which also highlighted a” comprehensive care “that not only includes chargers, but they are not outdoors and are not subject to vandalism.”

For its part, the Minister of Industry, Energy and Mining (member), Fernanda Cardona, He stressed that the first electricity station is part of “a work that was planned” and that it indicates that “Uruguay It is a pioneer again in decisions that are strategic “in energy matters.” We have to start thinking about a country where energy is from public companies in general. The Ministry plans a public policy and executes it through its energy companies, working together, ”he said.