Chile will ban sales of most internal combustion vehicles in favor of 100pc electric vehicles starting in 2035 as part of its pledge to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
Energy minister Juan Carlos Jobet announced the EV target along with a plan for an energy transition bill designed to promote electric transport, green hydrogen, renewable energy and distributed power generation.
Under the new electric transport strategy, 100pc of sales of light and medium vehicles, public transport — including most buses and taxis — and heavy trucks — including mining trucks — will be zero emission vehicles.
In 2040, 100pc of sales of smaller trucks in the construction, agricultural and forestry sectors will be zero emissions. And in 2045, 100pc of cargo transport and inter-urban buses will be zero emissions.
Regulations including norms for vehicle engine conversions will be published for public comment in November, the energy ministry said.
Among the elements of the proposed energy transition legislation is a temporary circulation tax cut for EVs, and vehicle-to-grid norms.
According to Chile's national automotive chamber (Anac), Chileans purchased 386 zero and low-emissions vehicles in September, up by 310.6pc from the same month of 2020.
