CFE Faces Delays in EV Charging Stations Requests

CFE has received requests from electric vehicle (EV) companies, including Tesla, to set up charging stations in major cities like Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. However, the absence of charging service guidelines and pricing from energy regulator CRE is causing delays in planning and finalizing agreements, CFE officials stated during a press conference.

According to José Martín Mendoza Hernández, CEO, CFE subsidiary SSB, the company has received several requests, including one from Tesla, but until rate regulations are issued, contractual matters cannot be resolved. The central issue is that CFE is currently the sole electricity service provider in Mexico and, without a framework for EV charging, it cannot enter partnerships with private sector firms.

CFE plans to install 200 charging stations along highway corridors to promote electric mobility and facilitate the transition to clean vehicles in Mexico. CFE is focusing on expanding charging infrastructure and on generating new business opportunities to cater to the needs of the market. “The market will develop, and it is necessary for CFE to provide attention to it,” says Enrique Álvarez Raya, Manager, Energy Savings Program for the Electric Sector (PAESE). 

CFE plans to provide charging infrastructure and explore possibilities for trading the energy required for electric mobility. Álvarez highlighted that the growth in the adoption of electric technologies has been notable, which motivates it to consider more advanced and effective charging solutions.

However, José Antonio Vega García, Distribution Coordinator, CFE, emphasized "this is beyond our (CFE’s) control. The regulatory body, CRE, will issue the necessary guidelines. Currently, no one can resell energy." Mendoza added that EV owners can request permits to install home charging stations without experiencing significant bill increases, but other entities like gas stations are not permitted to resell such services.

While Mexico's vehicle production is booming and gradually shifting towards EVs in line with global trends, the federal government has not publicly outlined a strategy for deploying EV charging infrastructure. The exception is Puebla, where the local energy agency has initiated a public-private partnership plan to establish nearly 100 new EV charging points, aiming to become the country's first electromobility hub.