Ecuador's electric vehicle sales surge as smartphone ownership reaches 59% of the population

In 2025 Ecuador's electric vehicle market recorded historic growth, with more than 4,200 vehicles sold—a rise of over 200 % compared with the previous year. The model range expanded from about 25 options in 2023 to roughly 80 in 2025, reflecting strong consumer and manufacturer interest. Industry focus is shifting toward next‑generation battery technologies, especially solid‑state cells and advanced Battery Management Systems, which aim to deliver ranges above 800 km and faster charging times.

A July 2025 survey by the Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Censos (INEC) found that 10.3 million Ecuadorians, or 59.3 % of the population aged five and older, own a smartphone. Ownership is highest in urban areas (64.3 %) and among those with higher education (90.3 %), while it drops to 48.3 % in rural zones and 24.4 % among people with no formal education. Income also shapes access, with 77.5 % of the top‑income quintile having smartphones versus 36.2 % of the poorest quintile. The dominant use is communication, with 76.8 % of users primarily making calls, while entertainment, education and work account for much smaller shares.