Costa Rica announces $4.6m public EV charging push

The Costa Rica Electricity Institute (aka Grupo ICE) has confirmed plans to roll out 180 new public AC chargers for EVs over the next three years. It describes the chargers as 'semi-fast' with a capacity of 21kW.

Delivery of the initiative will take the form of a phased rollout over a three-year period, with the first 25 charging points set to go live in 2026. According to Grupo ICE, a handful of units are already active at agency offices in Limón, Guápiles, Puerto Jiménez and Golfito, as well as Hotelera del Sur in Pérez Zeledón. These sites represent key access points for Caribbean travel, southern Pacific ship lanes, and regional highways.

The expansion of EV charging in the island nation is intended to address gaps in access to reliable public charging outside the Greater Metropolitan Area. For this reason, it has opted for relatively low capacity 21kW chargers, which are typically cheaper and easier to install than more demanding DC rapid chargers.

The institute states that the chargers can power many EVs from 20 to 60 per cent battery in around one hour, depending on the vehicle model and charging conditions.

Access to the charging stations will be handled by ICE’s “¡Es Eléctrico!” mobile app, which shows users a charging map and gives them the ability to initiate, and pay for, charging sessions. The agency confirmed pricing of ₡99.70 p/kWh, plus VAT.

Marco Acuña, president of Grupo ICE, said: “This initiative shows our commitment to electric mobility and to a more accessible and inclusive energy transition.

“From the Institute, we are working to strengthen connectivity and bring charging services to communities that today have limitations, helping their integration into tourism and commercial activity.”

ticotimes.net, grupoice.com (ES)