The sale of electrified vehicles reached a historical record in 2024, exceeding 6,600 units, driven mainly by hybrids, according to figures from the Automotive Association of Peru (AAP). During the first half of 2025, around 4,440 electrified vehicles were sold and in July, August and September the average sales of the first six months were already exceeded.
With the upward trend, it is expected to reach 10,000 units sold for the first time by the end of the year, a historical record for our country.
These numbers are a clear sign that Peru is adopting a multiple-option approach – electric, hybrid, gas cars – to decarbonize its aging vehicle fleet, which is responsible for a significant portion of urban pollution.
The commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 is taking a pragmatic path as current infrastructure limitations are recognized. It is no secret that the transportation sector is responsible for a high percentage of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions—it ranks second, after agricultural activity—and one of the main sources of air pollution in Peru. In this sense, information from the Urban Transportation Authority of Lima and Callao (Atu) indicates that the vehicle fleet generates 58% of the pollution in both cities.
That is why the Peruvian strategy does not focus on a single technology, but on a range of solutions that allow a gradual and realistic transition.
Cleaner technologies
The set of technologies adaptable to the different geographical and energy realities of Peru has among its alternatives the following vehicles.
– Self-charging hybrids (HEV): They are, by far, the most adopted technology in Peru. The main attraction of these electrified vehicles is that they do not require external charging infrastructure, that is, they are not plug-in, and they offer significant fuel savings and reductions in CO2 emissions.
– Plug-in Hybrids (PHEV) and Pure Electric Vehicles (BEV): These technologies represent the future of local zero-emission mobility, but their adoption is still incipient. BEVs and PHEVs need a network of chargers that is still being developed in the country, which limits their massification. For now, Lima, Arequipa and Cusco lead the adoption of these vehicles, but national massification requires an urgent and decisive investment in electric stations.
– With low-emission fuels: Vehicular Natural Gas (NGV) continues to be a key alternative for decarbonization in Peru due to the vast natural gas matrix that exists in the country. It offers a reduction of up to 20% in emissions and is an economical and accessible option, especially for public and cargo transportation. Ethanol as a biofuel, although less massive in light vehicles, is part of the strategy to reduce dependence on pure fossil fuels.
– Hydrogen Cells: This technology is in an early stage of commercial implementation in Peruvian transportation. Although it represents the potential of zero emissions in the long term, it requires a production, distribution and replenishment infrastructure that is still incipient in the country.
For the Peruvian reality, HEVs and natural gas vehicles are the most suitable options for cleaner, more efficient and reliable transportation.
Panorama in the world
The global transition towards sustainable mobility adapts to the energy and economic realities of each region. Although the future points to total electrification, the present is a mix of technologies.
Global figures confirm that battery electric vehicles are the dominant trend in developed markets. It is estimated that in 2024 sales of 100% electric vehicles (BEV) grew around 25% globally and that more than 11 million cars of this type would have been sold, 13.2% of the total automotive market.
Another interesting fact tells us that more than 90% of the electrified vehicle fleet and 95% of sales are concentrated in China, Europe and the United States.
Meanwhile, in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), the challenge of matching these numbers is enormous, since despite having experienced growth, the sale of electrified vehicles represents less than 5% of the regional total, showing that this technological change in LAC is still in an initial stage.
Hybrid domain
Data from the AAP and the National Superintendence of Public Registries (Sunarp) confirm an exponential growth in electrified vehicles, although from a small base.
As already mentioned, self-charging hybrid vehicles (HEV) dominate the market with almost 90% of electrified car sales. This is due to its adaptability to geography and the lack of mass charging infrastructure in the country.
The electrified market has maintained double-digit growth in recent years, with a significant increase in 2024, demonstrating growing consumer awareness and a greater model offering.
A quick comparison shows that from January to September 2025 the sale of electrified vehicles reached 7,256 units, a growth of more than 40% compared to the same period last year.
Despite the record, the total penetration of electrified vehicles in the Peruvian vehicle fleet—3.9% of new vehicle sales—continues to lag behind other countries in the region, underscoring the need to accelerate incentive policies and infrastructure expansion.
