Electric vehicle (EV) adoption in South America is relatively limited due to the lack of presence of any major company and a sparse charging network. Despite this, there is potential for growth in EVs throughout Latin America, as sales in 2022 reached approximately 40,700 units, with nearly 19,000 in Brazil. Tesla has officially arrived in Chile, marking its first location in South America. The prices for the Model 3 Rear-Wheel-Drive and the Model Y Rear-Wheel-Drive are $41,895 and $45,045, respectively, with deliveries expected in April and May of this year.
It remains to be seen if Tesla’s entry into the country will encourage wider EV adoption. In Chile, the cost of EVs is around four times that of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, posing a potential challenge for adoption. This suggests that greater efforts may be needed to make EVs more accessible and affordable in the country.