EVs: huge in Costa Rica

New York Times: These Countries Embrace E.V.s to Avoid Oil Price Shocks

Costa Rica is a leading example of how electric vehicles are rapidly gaining popularity in many less affluent countries that are not part of the giant U.S., European and Chinese auto markets. There are signs that the war in Iran, which has sharply raised the cost of gasoline and diesel, is accelerating this trend.

Electric vehicle sales in Latin America, Africa and much of Asia — a grouping that includes billions of people but that analysts often refer to as “rest of world” — soared 79 percent in March compared with a year earlier, according to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, a research firm. For all of 2025, sales of electric cars in these countries jumped 48 percent.

The article describes growing pains – worries about grid capacity, and some initial struggles with incompatible charging stations – but this is the way forward. These vehicles are just better.

Biusa, a private bus company, is replacing its entire 60-bus fleet with battery-powered models made by King Long, a Chinese brand.

The electric models cost $50,000 more than diesel buses from King Long, but the company can quickly make up the difference by spending less on fuel and maintenance, Miguel Zamora, a Biusa executive, said as he stood near a row of chargers.

The buses easily cover their daily routes on a single charge, he said. Ridership has increased because passengers like the quiet ride and superior air-conditioning.

The buses, Mr. Zamora said, “literally pay for themselves.”