Game changer: New Mexican regulation opens "windows" for electric car charging at gas stations

The new energy regulatory framework published by the Mexican government a few days ago establishes criteria that open windows of opportunity for private investment in charging infrastructure with distributed generation.

These documents, which replace the framework inherited from the 2013 energy reform, introduce concepts such as binding energy sector planning and energy justice , with direct implications for the development of electromobility in the country.

"It is positive that these new laws are being analyzed by business owners, especially by AMPES members, given their direct involvement as service station suppliers and the possible integration into the supply of electric charging for automobiles and other forms of electric transport," says David Hernández Martínez, Coordinator of Regulations at the Mexican Association of Service Station Suppliers ( AMPES ).

The context is favorable: Mexico closed the third quarter of 2025 with sales of 24,498 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles , a growth of 50% compared to the same period of the previous year, according to the Electro Mobility Association ( EMA ).

However, the public charging infrastructure barely reaches 3,514 stations, highlighting a critical gap that represents both a challenge and an opportunity for the private sector.

The Regulations of the Law on Planning and Energy Transition establish that the Ministry of Energy (SENER) must prepare five mandatory planning instruments, including the Electricity Sector Development Plan (PLADESE) with a 15-year horizon.

The relevant point is that the National Energy Commission (CNE) will have to consider these plans when granting permits for charging infrastructure projects, which could geographically limit the development of private electric vehicle charging stations in non-priority areas.

"The document directly links these regulations to electromobility and its implications for favoring or limiting investments in this area," warns Hernández Martínez in dialogue with Mobility Portal Latinoamérica .

"Businesspeople who wish to invest should consider the challenges and opportunities this represents."

However, the same regulation opens a window of opportunity: it establishes that charging infrastructure should be prioritized for mass public transport , which could accelerate electrification projects for urban buses and taxis.

One of the most favorable aspects of the new regulatory framework is the relaxation of the thresholds for distributed generation.

The regulation raises the installed capacity that does not require a permit from 0.5 MW to 0.7 MW , and creates the figure of interconnected self-consumption for projects of up to 20 MW with simplified procedure.

This means that a service station wishing to integrate electric chargers can install solar panels up to 0.7 MW without a generation permit , or up to 20 MW under the new self-consumption scheme with a streamlined administrative procedure.

• This capacity is sufficient to power between 15 and 30 50 kW fast chargers , depending on the system configuration.

"For potential developers or investors, it would be of interest to have an analysis of possible sources of financing for private sector initiatives," says the Regulatory Coordinator of AMPES.

While energy regulations do not include specific funding sources for electromobility, there are complementary instruments.

The Mexico Plan Decree , published in January 2025, grants an immediate deduction of 86% to 83% of the investment in "vehicles whose propulsion is through electric battery" and related equipment.

Additionally, the Economic Development Poles Decree , in force since May 2025, allows immediate deduction of 100% of investments in fixed assets for projects in priority areas, applicable until September 2030.

The critical question raised by Hernández Martínez is whether "with the publication of the regulations there is total clarity for private sector investment in electromobility infrastructure projects."

According to the specialist, the sector expects this type of clarity "regarding applications and authorizations, especially if it concerns infrastructure projects for the sale of electric charging to the public ."

The answer is nuanced.

Agreement A/108/2024 , published in September 2024 by the then Energy Regulatory Commission (CRE), remains operationally valid and establishes technical connection requirements for electric vehicle charging stations, connector standards and price transparency obligations.

However, the new regulations introduce elements of uncertainty.

Article 197 of the Electricity Sector Regulations establishes that charging centers for electromobility "can be registered as Controllable Demand ", a figure that would allow charger operators to offer demand reduction in exchange for preferential rates.

The problem: the CNE has a period of 120 working days (approximately until February 2026) to publish the specific provisions that regulate this figure.

Additionally, the regulation introduces the Social Impact Assessment (SIA) requirement for electrical infrastructure projects.

Although the scope of this obligation for private electric vehicle charging stations is not yet fully defined, it could involve the development of a Social Management Plan with "Shared Social Benefits" for communities in the area of influence, increasing costs and development times.

Despite the uncertainties, the service station sector is in a privileged position to capitalize on the electricity transition.

With approximately 13,000 service stations in Mexico - according to data from the Energy Regulatory Commission - the integration of electric chargers represents a diversification strategy in the face of the eventual reduction in the consumption of fossil fuels.

The EMA has made a specific appeal to traditional service stations "to join the global trend of incorporating fast chargers as an alternative source of income."

The organization also highlighted that "they can prepare for the future, playing a key role in meeting the mobility needs of all types of users, especially on long-distance journeys."

• The business model is attractive: companies like VEMO, Evergo, and FAZT have announced multimillion-dollar investments in public charging infrastructure.
• Soriana and FAZT plan to install 1,000 charging stations by 2030, while Evergo has committed $200 million to deploy 15,000 charging ports over five years.

For service stations that already have strategic locations on highways and in urban areas, the combination of electric vehicle chargers with distributed solar power generation and the future potential of Demand Controlled Power could result in a resilient business model aligned with global trends in decarbonizing transportation. Source: Mobility Portal Latin America