Which ones are sold in Argentina and what technologies are available

The growth of electric and electrified cars continues in Argentina, although the speed that exists in other markets has not yet been reached. Furthermore, it still delivers results with volumes that are still very small.

However, each time the offer is inevitably larger, as the evolution of the global industry moves along that path. And although the greatest diversity of electrified models are imported from countries other than Brazil or Mexico, the main trading partners, the bulk of sales do belong to those origins.

During 2023, in the country 9,601 hybrid and electric vehicles were patented, with an overwhelming majority of the former. This represents an increase of 21.3% compared to what was registered during 2022, according to the report presented by the Association of Automotive Dealers of the Argentine Republic (ACARA).

Last year, 10 models and 3 brands debuted in the Argentine market on offer with hybrid or electric technology. This means that the entire proposal included some 16 brands that had 38 models for sale with at least 5 patented units throughout the year.

Among these models, the majority (75%) were imported from Brazil, since there is a free trade agreement with the neighboring country and no quota, as is the case with Mexico.

All the models that arrived from the Brazilian industry correspond to vehicles with conventional hybrid technology. At the moment, no model is manufactured with this system in Argentina.

What are the leading brands

As for brands, Toyota It was the one that once again dominated the electrified market in Argentina with a 78% share. The Japanese brand offers hybrid alternatives with two models that are among the most popular in the mid-segment, which are Corolla and Corolla Cross.

appears behind Ford, which last year ended up presenting two new hybrid models, the Maverick pickup and the renewed Kuga, and two 100% electric ones, the Mustang Mach-E and the E-Transit, the van that will begin deliveries this year. The oval brand’s share among electrified vehicles was 6%.

The third step of the podium was occupied by Audi, which has practically its entire range with mild-hybrid technology. The rings brand has 5% among those electrified.

• Alfa Romeo: During this year the new Tonale SUV will arrive, which has mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions. At the moment the arrival date is not confirmed.

• Audi: The German brand has almost its entire range with a mild hybridization system. More precisely the A4, A5, A6, A7, Q5, Q7, Q8 and RS Q8 models. In addition, it has the 100% electric e-tron GT and the imminent arrival of the Q8 e-tron.

• BLOCK: The Chinese company will present the EU5 Plus, a 100% electric medium sedan that delivers a power of 218 horsepower and achieves a range of up to 500 kilometers.

• BMW: At the moment it offers mild-hybrid technology and two products that stand out such as the 330e and the X3 XDrive 30e, both powerful models with plug-in hybrid technology. And it will reinforce its electrified range with a 100% electric model: without official confirmation, it could be the iX2, which was also launched in Europe recently.

• Chery: another Chinese brand that is advancing with electric vehicles. It will be with the presentation of the eQ1, a three-door citycar that is already sold in other markets in the region. In Uruguay, for example, it has a battery that provides 301 km of autonomy.

• Coradir: The company based in San Luis, which assembles its cars with parts imported from China, has the 100% electric models TITO, TITA (with pickup format) and CHIKI, the brand’s latest launch. Last year the company sold more than 260 copies.

• DS: The premium brand of the Stellantis group plans to launch the DS7 e-Tense in the middle of the year, the plug-in hybrid version of the renewed medium SUV presented in the country in April 2023.

• Ford: The oval company has one of the widest electrified ranges in the country. On the one hand, it has a wide variety of hybrid models, with the Kuga SUV and the Maverick and F-150 pickups. And, on the other, it is in full expansion of battery-powered vehicles, with the arrival of the Mustang Mach-E and the e-Transit range.

• friend: The Chinese brand marketed by the Car One Group plans to import the hybrid versions of its Jolion and H6 SUVs in the last quarter.

• Honda: The arrival of the new generation of its famous Civic is scheduled for this year, which will be made exclusively with a hybrid version. It is expected to be by mid-year.

• Hyundai: The Korean company, which has the Ioniq hybrid in its range, has three electrified launches planned for the local market. The first should arrive in the middle of the year, with the renewal of the Kona, and in the second half the renewals of the Tucson and Santa Fe will follow. In all cases they will be hybrids.

• Come on: During this summer it exhibited one of its next novelties, the Niro hybrid, although for the moment it did not advance the planned date for its debut in the local market.

• Land Rover: The English brand has just launched the new generation of the Defender, the 4×4 that is presented for the first time in its 110 plug-in hybrid version. As for 2024 news, in the second half of the year the new Range Rover Sport will arrive, the SUV that will also be configured with plug-in hybrid technology.

• Lexus: Toyota’s luxury division is one of the ones with the most hybrid model options on the market. This technology is found in the UX, NX and RX SUVs and the IS, LS and ES sedans.

• Mercedes-Benz: The luxury company presented its first 100% electric car in our market last year, the EQA, and it is expected that this year that range will be expanded with two more examples, not yet reported. In addition, it will also continue to expand its range of models with mild hybridization.

• Nissan: The Japanese brand offers a version of the X-Trail SUV with electric technology with extended range. It is the only model of this type in our market. He also has a battery-powered car, the Leaf.

• PeugeotTo the 3008 plug-in hybrid, the lion’s company will add its first 100% electric model in the country: it will be the battery-powered version of 2008, originally scheduled for mid-year.

• Porsche: The Taycan stands out in the sports car manufacturer’s range, a super luxury sedan with a sporty character that is probably the most advanced electric car in the world. Depending on the version, it can have two engines and a power of up to 761 horsepower.

• RAM: The pikcup manufacturer began offering the 1500 Rebel in our market last year, a truck with a mild-hybrid system.

• Renault: the pioneer in electric vehicles in the Argentine market, has prepared a large landing of battery-powered vehicles: the Kwid E-Tech, the Megane E-Tech and the Kangoo E-Tech will arrive, all during this year.

• Toyota: The Japanese company is the one that leads the sales of electric vehicles in the country by far. It does this mainly with the hybrid versions of the Corolla and the Corolla Cross, which arrive imported from Brazil. Additionally, it offers the RAV4.

• Volvo: The Swedish brand launched the 100% electric C40 and XC40, to which will be added the EX30, a compact SUV scheduled for the second half of the year. In turn, the XC40, XC60 and XC90 of the Recharge family offer plug-in hybrid technology.

The electrified propulsion systems that are available today in Argentina are five, of which four have a combustion engine and only two can be plugged in.

• Mild-hybrid or mild hybrid: A battery and a generator are added to the combustion engine instead of the alternator. It allows energy to be recovered from decelerations and braking to assist the combustion engine and power other systems. It can reduce fuel consumption by up to 15%, at best. The car cannot move using electricity alone.
• Hybrid: the combustion engine is associated with another electric engine that alternates its operation to reduce consumption or combines it to increase performance. Its battery pack is recharged with the combustion engine or taking advantage of decelerations. It moves only with electricity, but in short sections and at reduced speeds. Fuel savings in the city compared to an equivalent gasoline can be 30%.
• Plug-in hybrid: Works similarly to a conventional hybrid but has a larger battery pack. In this way, it provides an electric range that can be up to 80 kilometers, so daily fuel consumption can be zero, depending on the distance traveled. These batteries can be recharged by plugging them into an electrical grid.
• Extended range electricor: its main engine is an electric one but it is associated with a combustion engine that provides it with energy. It is not capable of moving the wheels and its only function is to power a generator to produce electricity. The option available in Argentina (Nissan X-Trail E-Power) does not give the possibility of charging the batteries by plugging them in.
• Electric: has only one or more electric motors. The energy it receives comes exclusively from its batteries, which can be recharged by plugging them into an electrical network. Recharging times vary depending on the vehicle and the power of the chargers.

1. Toyota Corolla Cross (hybrid): 4,509
2. Toyota Corolla (hybrid): 2,696
3. Ford Maverick (Hybrid): 403
4. Coradir Tito (electric): 218
5. Audi A4 (mild hybrid): 177
6. Toyota RAV-4 (hybrid): 144
7. Audi Q5 (mild-hybrid): 123
8. Ford Kuga (hybrid): 106
9. Mercedes-Benz C300 (mild-hybrid): 106
10. Toyota C-HR (hybrid): 102