The Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos (Aresep) set a single rate of ¢182.72 for the operation of fast charging centers for electric vehicles.
The rate means it would cost ¢3,200 colones (US$5.70 at the current exchange rate) to charge an electric car to travel 100 kilometers, based on the Public Services Regulatory Authority calculation that those 100 kilometers by electric car require 17.47 Kilowatt-hours of consumption.
The Aresep says the amount represents a 36% savings over traveling the same distance in a vehicle using super gasoline.
Although the owners of electric vehicles can recharge them in their homes or jobs, the rate seeks both to regulate the sale of electricity for these cars and to allow their owners to travel extensively throughout the national territory.
The single price per kilowatt-hour is transitory and will be updated as information on the use of fast-charging centers is available, the Aresep said.
The rate would take effect once resolution RE-0056-IE-2019 is published in the official newspaper La Gaceta, expected next week.
The rate will be used by a network of 47 fast charging centers that are being developed by electricity companies and distribution cooperatives throughout the country.
It is estimated that 34 of these charge centers will be installed before the end of this year.
Currently, between the various automotive dealers, shopping centers and other locations, there are 70 free charging points, where customers and owners of electric cars can charge up.
