Electric vehicle (EV) sales are accelerating rapidly across South America, but the surprising twist is that the boom is being driven by Chinese automakers instead of Tesla. With lower prices and strong supply chains, brands like BYD, Geely, and GWM are reshaping the region’s transition to electric mobility.
Chinese EVs are nearly 50–60% cheaper than Tesla models, making them far more accessible to middle-income buyers. BYD’s aggressive launches in Peru, Brazil, and Chile have helped the company capture significant market share.
Peru’s Chinese-built Chancay Port has become a major hub for EV imports across South America. Improved logistics have fueled growth, with Peru reporting 44% YoY EV sales and Chile, Brazil, and Uruguay hitting record EV adoption levels.
