Bolivian EV startup hopes tiny car will make it big in lithium-rich country
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Loading... - Alejandro Diaz
- 31 May 2023
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On a chilly morning, Dr. Carlos Ortuno embarked on a visit to a patient residing in the outskirts of La Paz, Bolivia's capital. As he climbed into a compact electric vehicle, doubts lingered in his mind about whether the car could navigate the steep and winding streets of the high-altitude city. However, to his surprise, the Quantum, Bolivia's first-ever electric car, effortlessly conquered the challenging terrain. Dr. Ortuno praised the vehicle, highlighting the stark contrast to gasoline-powered cars.
Dr. Ortuno's home visit was made possible through the "Doctor in your house" program, a government initiative that aims to bring healthcare services to residents living in distant neighborhoods from the city center. Launched by the municipality of La Paz, the program utilizes a fleet of six electric vehicles manufactured by Quantum Motors, the country's sole producer of electric cars.
La Paz Mayor Ivan Arias commended the program as a pioneering concept that safeguards the well-being of those in need while concurrently preserving the environment and supporting local manufacturing. The implementation of this initiative could also foster the growth of Quantum Motors, a company established four years ago by a group of visionary entrepreneurs who firmly believe that electric vehicles will revolutionize Bolivia's automotive industry. Bolivia, being rich in lithium, is in a unique position to leverage the potential of electric vehicles, despite the prevalence of cheap, subsidized imported gasoline.
Resembling a box in shape, the Quantum car operates at a maximum speed of 35 mph (56 kph), can be conveniently recharged from a household outlet, and boasts a range of 50 miles (80 kilometers) before requiring another recharge. Its creators envision the $7,600 vehicle as a catalyst to revive aspirations of a lithium-powered economy and to facilitate the widespread adoption of electric cars among the masses.
Jose Carlos Marquez, the general manager of Quantum Motors, asserts that e-mobility will undoubtedly dominate the global automotive landscape in the coming years. However, he emphasizes that the nature of electric vehicles will vary across different countries. While Tesla is projected to be a dominant player in the United States, offering high-speed autonomous cars, Latin American countries, including Bolivia, are more likely to embrace compact electric vehicles due to their streets' resemblance to those found in cities like Bombay and New Delhi, rather than California.
Nevertheless, Quantum Motors has faced considerable challenges in its quest to promote e-mobility in Bolivia. In the four years since its initial electric vehicle release, the company has sold a mere 350 cars within Bolivia and an undisclosed number in Peru and Paraguay. Despite these obstacles, Quantum Motors is preparing to inaugurate a factory in Mexico later this year, although details regarding the scale of production remain undisclosed.
Nonetheless, the choice of Quantum Motors to focus on battery-powered cars aligns with Bolivia's abundant resources. With an estimated reserve of 21 million tons, Bolivia possesses the world's largest lithium reserves—an essential component in electric batteries. However, the country has yet to extract and fully industrialize this vast lithium wealth. Currently, the majority of vehicles in circulation within Bolivia continue to rely on fossil fuels, and the government persistently subsidizes imported fuel, selling it domestically at half the market price.
Marco Antonio Rodriguez, a car mechanic in La Paz, expresses skepticism regarding the capacity of the Quantum car compared to gasoline-powered vehicles, despite its affordability. However, he acknowledges that public opinion might change once the government discontinues gasoline subsidies.
Notwithstanding the challenges that lie ahead, the creators of the Quantum car remain optimistic that initiatives like "Medico en tu casa" will contribute to the growth of production and the proliferation of electric vehicles across the region. The program, scheduled to expand and encompass additional neighborhoods next year, has instilled confidence in Quantum Motors, with Jose Carlos Marquez stating, "We are ready to grow," and revealing that their inventory has been sold out until July.
