Colombia EV Sales Hit 13% as Tesla Prepares to Shake Market

Colombia just proved that the electric vehicle revolution isn't just for wealthy nations anymore.

In December 2025, EVs captured 12.9% of all vehicle sales in Colombia, up from 10% just one month earlier. The country sold 3,905 electric vehicles that month, marking an 80% jump from the previous year and shattering the October record by 60%.

The surge partly came from delayed deliveries following Bogota's November auto show, where excited buyers signed contracts for new EVs. Logistical delays at Buenaventura port meant cars arrived in December instead, creating a spectacular sales spike.

But the real story is what's coming next. Tesla recently announced pricing for its Model 3 and Model Y in Colombia at levels that undercut nearly every competitor on the market. Some buyers who ordered other EVs at the November auto show reportedly canceled their contracts once Tesla's prices dropped.

Chinese automaker BYD currently dominates Colombia's EV market with 47% share, led by its affordable Seagull and Yuan Up models. However, new competition from Geely, Chery, and GAC is diversifying the market and giving consumers more choices than ever.

The country's EV adoption follows a seasonal pattern, with December sales sometimes doubling January numbers. Yet even accounting for this trend, the upward trajectory is undeniable. Market share hovered around 8% through mid-2025, broke 9% in September, hit 10% in November, and then leaped to nearly 13% by year's end.

The Ripple Effect

Colombia's EV transformation extends beyond individual car sales. For the first time, analysts predict that total combustion engine vehicle sales will actually decline in 2026, even as the overall auto market grows by an estimated 10%.

This marks a critical turning point. Previous dips in gas car sales coincided with overall market shrinkage during economic downturns. But 2026 could bring the first sustained decline driven purely by consumers choosing electric over gas.

The math is compelling. Nine out of every ten EVs sold in Colombia are now fully battery electric rather than plug-in hybrids, as prices drop on models like the BYD Seagull. When Geely's popular Geome model arrives at around $22,000, and Tesla's competitively priced vehicles hit dealerships, experts believe EV sales could double this year.

Even luxury brands are adapting. BMW earned bronze position in December sales with a surprisingly affordable EV lineup, mostly built in Europe rather than China.

Colombia's success offers a blueprint for other developing nations watching from the sidelines. You don't need massive government subsidies or extensive charging infrastructure to kickstart an EV revolution—you just need competitive pricing and cars people actually want to drive.

The age of affordable electric mobility is arriving in South America, one record-breaking month at a time.