Chinese electric cars dominate a growing share of the Chilean market. Between January and August 2026, Chinese-origin brands sold 3,068 of the 6,902 fully electric cars registered in Chile, 44.5%, and 4,989 of the 5,800 plug-in hybrids, 86%, according to an Energía Futura calculation based on ANAC's Zero and Low Emissions Report for August.
In pure electric cars, the best-selling brand is still Tesla, with almost 29% of the segment. But behind it come BYD, Geely, Maxus, Dongfeng and a long list of Chinese brands with prices from CLP 13,990,000. These are the figures.
How many Chinese electric cars are sold in Chile
ANAC, the national automotive association, does not publish a total by country of origin for electric cars, so we calculated it from its brand ranking. We counted as Chinese the brands with a Chinese parent company (BYD, Geely, Changan, Chery, MG, GWM and others) and excluded Volvo and Smart, which have Chinese shareholders but are European-origin brands.
| Segment (January to August 2026) | Total sold | Chinese brands | Chinese share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fully electric cars (BEV) | 6,902 | 3,068 | 44.5% |
| Plug-in hybrids (PHEV and P-REEV) | 5,800 | 4,989 | 86.0% |
| Total plug-ins | 12,702 | 8,057 | 63.4% |
The plug-in market grew 143.4% compared with the same period of 2025, according to ANAC. Fully electric cars rose 102.3% and plug-in hybrids (PHEV) 181.9%.
Plug-ins are only part of zero- and low-emission vehicles. In the same period, 10,170 conventional hybrids (which do not plug in) and 16,897 mild hybrids were sold, for a total of 39,769 zero- and low-emission vehicles, according to ANAC. In those segments, Japanese brands such as Toyota carry much more weight than in pure electric cars.
The best-selling electric car brands in Chile
This is the ranking of fully electric vehicles through August 2026, including cars, SUVs, commercial vehicles and pickups:
| # | Brand | Origin | Units (Jan-Aug 2026) | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tesla | United States | 1,992 | 28.9% |
| 2 | BYD | China | 743 | 10.8% |
| 3 | Volvo | Sweden | 481 | 7.0% |
| 4 | Geely | China | 426 | 6.2% |
| 5 | Maxus | China | 360 | 5.2% |
| 6 | Dongfeng | China | 325 | 4.7% |
| 7 | Chevrolet | United States | 286 | 4.1% |
| 8 | Renault | France | 260 | 3.8% |
| 9 | JAC | China | 209 | 3.0% |
| 10 | Leapmotor | China | 166 | 2.4% |
| 11 | MG | China | 158 | 2.3% |
| 12 | Smart | Germany | 136 | 2.0% |
| 13 | Omoda / Jaecoo | China | 131 | 1.9% |
| 14 | DFM | China | 114 | 1.7% |
In the plug-in hybrid ranking, Chinese dominance is almost total: Changan leads with 1,539 units (26.5%), followed by BYD with 1,185 (20.4%), Riddara with 425 (7.3%), Chery with 309 and Omoda / Jaecoo with 288. The first non-Chinese brand is Volvo, in seventh place, with 252.
The best-selling Chinese electric car models in Chile
| Fully electric model | Brand | Units (Jan-Aug 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Model Y | Tesla | 1,082 |
| Model 3 | Tesla | 909 |
| EX30 | Volvo | 421 |
| Yuan Plus EV | BYD | 378 |
| EX2 | Geely | 333 |
| eDeliver 3 (van) | Maxus | 294 |
| Dolphin Mini | BYD | 261 |
| Kwid E-Tech | Renault | 260 |
| Nammi | Dongfeng | 191 |
| Ignite 30X | JAC | 185 |
And these are the best-selling plug-in hybrids between January and August 2026, according to ANAC:
- Changan CS55 Plus iDD: 775 units.
- BYD Song Plus 1.5T: 543.
- Riddara RD6 PHEV (pickup): 425.
- BYD Shark GS (pickup): 346.
- Jaecoo 7: 288.
- Changan Deepal S05: 272.
- DFSK 600: 257.
- Geely EX5 EM-i: 226.
- Volvo XC60: 215.
- Chevrolet Captiva: 199.
Among the 10 best-selling pure electric cars there are six models from Chinese brands, and among the 10 plug-in hybrids, eight. Two pickups stand out, the Riddara RD6 and the BYD Shark, in a segment where electrification is just beginning.
Chinese electric cars by segment: SUVs, commercial vehicles and pickups
ANAC's report breaks sales down by vehicle type, which shows where Chinese brands are strongest:
- Electric SUVs: the largest segment, with 3,485 of the 6,902 electric vehicles sold through August. Tesla leads, with Volvo (481 units) and BYD (477) behind.
- Electric passenger cars: 2,869 units. After Tesla come Geely (333), BYD (266) and Renault (260).
- Electric commercial vehicles: 453 units, with Maxus as the clear leader: 313 units and 69.1% of the segment.
- Electric pickups: just 95 units, led by Maxus (39) and Riddara (35).
- Plug-in hybrid pickups: 1,054 units, all from Chinese brands: Riddara (425), BYD (346), Changan (192) and GWM (91).
In August alone, BYD (91 units) and Geely (81) were the second and third pure electric brands, behind Tesla (172), according to the same report.
Prices of Chinese electric cars in Chile
Chinese cars occupy almost the entire entry-level tier of the electric market. These are 2026 list prices we compiled in the cheapest electric cars in Chile; they may change with bonuses and promotions:
| Model | Brand | List price from |
|---|---|---|
| Lumin | Changan | CLP 13,990,000 |
| EX2 Pro | Geely | CLP 18,990,000 |
| Dolphin Mini | BYD | CLP 19,490,000 |
| 001 LR | Nammi (Dongfeng) | CLP 20,990,000 |
| Mage EV | Dongfeng | CLP 21,980,000 |
| Ignite 30X | JAC | CLP 22,990,000 |
| EU5 | BAIC | CLP 23,790,000 |
| Aion ES | GAC Motor | CLP 25,990,000 |
| MG4 | MG | CLP 26,990,000 |
| Yuan Pro | BYD | CLP 27,990,000 |
| E5 | Omoda | CLP 30,990,000 |
| Yuan Plus | BYD | CLP 32,990,000 |
| ZS EV | MG | CLP 33,990,000 |
To compare running costs, charging a compact electric car at home costs around CLP 3,800 per 100 km, against about CLP 9,200 for an equivalent gasoline car, using the residential kWh price we listed in the price per kWh by city and utility.
Chinese brands in Chile's car market
The Chinese advance is not only electric. In the whole light and medium vehicle market, Chinese-origin brands have 36.5% of cumulative sales through August 2026, and China-made cars account for 47.2%, according to ANAC's Automotive Market Report for September. The difference is explained by non-Chinese brands that also build cars in China.
The Chinese brands' share of the total market was 30.2% in 2021, 32.2% in 2022, 28.9% in 2023, 30.7% in 2024 and 32.4% in 2025, according to the same ANAC series. The jump to 36.5% in 2026 is the largest in recent years.
The total market reached 237,181 new vehicles between January and September 2026, 2.3% more than in 2025, according to ANAC. Plug-ins are still a small fraction of those sales, but they are the fastest-growing segment.
Do you sell electric cars or chargers? Reach buyers comparing models at Energía Futura.
See advertising optionsBYD, the largest Chinese electric car maker in Chile
BYD is the Chinese brand with the largest presence in the segment: second in pure electric cars and second in plug-in hybrids. Since January 2026 it has operated in Chile with direct representation, after ending its contract with its previous importer, according to The Clinic.
What to check before buying a Chinese electric car
- Service network: several brands arrived only a few years ago. Check how many authorized workshops there are in your region.
- Battery warranty: compare years and kilometers of coverage; it is the most expensive component of the car.
- Real range: many spec sheets use the Chinese CLTC cycle, which tends to give higher figures than the European WLTP cycle. Compare models on the same cycle.
- Charging: check that the connector is compatible with the public chargers you plan to use and look at the maximum fast-charging power.
- Resale value: the used electric car market is still small in Chile.
- Parts: ask about delivery times for body parts and glass.
If you plan to charge with your own energy, a home solar system can cover part of that consumption, as we explain in what a home solar kit includes and how much it costs.
Frequently asked questions about Chinese electric cars in Chile
What is the best-selling Chinese electric car in Chile?
In pure electric cars, the BYD Yuan Plus EV, with 378 units between January and August 2026. In plug-in hybrids, the Changan CS55 Plus iDD, with 775.
What percentage of electric cars in Chile are Chinese?
44.5% of fully electric cars and 86% of plug-in hybrids sold between January and August 2026, according to our calculation with ANAC data.
How many electric cars are sold in Chile?
Between January and August 2026, 6,902 fully electric cars were sold, 102.3% more than in 2025, and 12,702 plug-ins in total, according to ANAC.
What is the cheapest Chinese electric car in Chile?
The Changan Lumin, with a list price from CLP 13,990,000.
Which Chinese electric car brands are sold in Chile?
Among others, BYD, Geely, Changan, Dongfeng, JAC, Maxus, MG, Leapmotor, Omoda / Jaecoo, Chery, GWM, BAIC, Riddara, DFSK, GAC and Neta.
