Get to know the ten cheapest electrified cars in the Ecuadorian market

The supply of electric and hybrid cars (grouped under the term electrified cars) has diversified in recent years in Ecuador.

The cheapest is the Zhidou D1, whose value is $8,690 with a range of up to 100 km after a six-hour charge.

There is a second option of Chinese origin that costs $9,200.

Hence the following ones that have a greater passenger capacity and distance covered after each charge (autonomy) are worth from $ 20,000. This includes hybrids that combine electricity and fossil fuels, although they do use less gasoline than conventional ones.

Thinking of buying a car? These are the ones that cost up to $15,000 in Ecuador, although they are becoming less and less because taxes make them more expensive

However, a more accelerated conversion of the vehicle fleet towards cars that are friendly to the environment because they use electricity and not fossil fuels is still in the long term.

Apart from the price, another drawback is the lack of charging stations on the roads of the country. There are 82 charging points (electrolineras) distributed in Guayaquil, Quito, Ambato, Cuenca, Loja, Azogues, Atacames, Puerto Ayora and Puerto Baquerizo Moreno.

Genaro Baldeón, executive president of the Association of Automotive Companies of Ecuador (Aeade), is optimistic with the latest sales results for electrified vehicles (a term that includes 100% electric vehicles and hybrids that combine fuel).

Between January and November of this year, 6,367 hybrid vehicles and 355 fully electric vehicles were sold, according to Aeade figures.

There is an unprecedented increase since in the same periods of 2019, 2020 and 2021, 1,311, 892 and 3,717 were sold, in order, of hybrid cars and 80, 88 and 268 electric.

Its participation so far this year in the national market is 6% of the total sale of new light cars.

Electric and hybrid cars use various types of technology that are mainly summarized in three.

The first corresponds to the 100% electric vehicles known by the acronym BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle), which require being plugged in and charged from an external power source after reaching a certain autonomy. These have zero emission, but “they still have limitations in our country when going from one place to another, because they need to be charged,” says Baldeón, and there are not enough charging points available.

Its participation in the electrified car market is negligible precisely because of the limitation of moving between one city and another because the infrastructure of charging stations is needed.

The second technology is known by the acronym PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle), which includes hybrids that can work either with the electric motor that needs to be plugged in and charged or with the fossil combustion one, they are plug-in hybrids.

The third is known by the acronym HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle), the best-selling and most popular in Ecuador and encompasses hybrids that move alternately with the electric motor that does not require plugging and charging and the fossil fuel that consumes less. fuel due precisely to this combination. “These work with battery regeneration and fuel because they have a combustion engine and several electric ones,” says Baldeón.

Conventional hybrids that do not need to be plugged in are the least expensive.

In general, he adds, hybrids consume less fossil fuel than one that is exclusively combustion. “There are some that can travel up to 100 kilometers per gallon. In these when one is at a traffic light the combustion engine is off, the same when starting, the electric motor works there. In the cities, the greatest consumption occurs at starts, at traffic lights, then the savings are evident”.

Top 10 of the cheapest electrified cars in the Ecuadorian market*

1.- D1 of the Zhidou brand ($8,690).

It is electric, has a range of 100 km, a maximum acceleration of 120 km/h and a power of 18 kW. It charges for six hours on a 220 volt line. It has three doors, speeding alarm, electric windows, 5-inch digital screen and air conditioning.

2.- JY7222-ZQR 4X2 from the Jiayuan brand ($9,200).

It is completely electric and for city use. It allows you to travel with a range of 80 to 100 km and recharges in a 110 or 220 volt outlet in six to eight hours. It has a free height to the ground of 18 cm. It is automatic transmission and has disc brakes on all four wheels.

3.- E5 400 AC 4P 4X2 TA EV of the BYD brand ($20,940).

It has a 160 kW/214 HP engine with a range of 400 km. It is a hybrid with 60% savings in fuel and maintenance compared to one with combustion. It has cbut CO2 emissions. Approved for private use and taxi.

4.- E JS1 of the JAC brand ($ 20,990)

It has a 100% electric motor with a range of 300 km and a power of 62 hp. Long charge time of six hours and fast charge of 42 minutes. It uses a lithium battery, power button and air conditioning.

5.- GC1 AC 5P 4X2 TA EV from the Zedriv brand ($20,990).

It has a range of 338 km and a power of 55 kW. Its maximum speed is 120 km/h with a ternary lithium battery. The charging time from 0 to 100% is 5.5 hours at 220V and one hour at 380V.

6.-E2 300 GS AC 4P 4X2 TA EV of the BYD brand $ 25,500

Its autonomy is 305 km with a power of 70 kW. Its maximum speed is 125 km/h. The charging time from 0 to 100% is seven hours at 220V and one hour at 380V.

7.- E3 400 GL AC 4P 4X2 TA EV of the BYD brand ($29,990)

It has a range of 400 km and a power of 70 kW. Its top speed is 130 km/h. The charging time from 0 to 100% is 6.5 hours at 220V.

8.- Soul EV of the KIA brand ($29,990).

It has a range of 452 km with a maximum power of 320 hp/239 kW. It has a power button and a 100% electric motor. It has a top speed of 167 km/h. And two ranges of driving distance on a single charge: long range, offering up to 452 km, or medium range, offering up to 276 km.

9.- S2 GL 400 AC 5P 4X2 TA EV of the BYD brand ($31,500).

It has a range of 400 km with a power of 70 kW. Its top speed is 130 km/h. The charging time from 0 to 100% is six hours at 220V and one hour at 380V.

10.- S2 GL 300 AC 5P 4X2 TA EV of the BYD brand ($31,500).

*The prices reported by Aeade are referential.

What tax payment are electric and hybrid vehicles exempt from in Ecuador?

The regulations indicate that electric vehicles pay 0% value added tax (VAT) and are exempt from the collection of special consumption tax (ICE). They also do not pay import duties, including chargers for charging stations, batteries and chargers.

In addition, the electric charging service for recharging all types of 100% electric vehicles is taxed with 0% VAT.

In the case of hybrids, those with a capacity of up to 2,000 cubic centimeters (cc) do not pay import duties and all types are also exempt from ICE.

Hybrids from 2,001 cc to 3,000 cc pay 10% tariffs, from 3,001 cc to 4,000 cc pay 20% and those with a capacity greater than 4,000 cc, 35%. (YO)