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Latin America EV Charging: Connectors and Voltages by Country
Grid voltage, frequency and connector practice for EV chargers in Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina and Peru, with approval notes and what to verify.
- Prepared by
- VULTAE Engineering Team
- Published
- Reading time
- 3 min
- Sources
- 3 references
Key takeaways
- 1Latin America is not one market. Mexico follows North American practice (J1772 / Type 1, CCS1, NACS at 127/220 V and 480 V, 60 Hz). Chile, Argentina and Brazil are mostly Type 2 and CCS2. Colombia has mixed rules and practice. Voltage and frequency differ widely.
- 2Order the right version: the IEC version (Type 2, CCS2, 230/400 V) or the North American version (Type 1, CCS1 or NACS, 208–240 V AC and 480 V DC). Check the site supply before choosing.
- 3Local approvals exist in several countries (for example SEC authorisation in Chile; Inmetro assessment in Brazil, whose status for chargers is described differently by sources). We do not claim any local approval for VULTAE chargers; confirm requirements with a local expert.
- 4Rules are changing fast. Treat the table as a starting point and verify with the authority, utility or a local partner.
Contents
Short answer: Mexico follows North American practice; Chile, Argentina and Brazil are mostly Type 2 and CCS2; Colombia is mixed. Voltages and frequency vary — choose the charger version after checking the site supply. Approvals exist in some countries; we do not claim local approvals for VULTAE chargers, so confirm requirements with a local expert.
Voltage, frequency and connectors
| Country | Typical supply | Frequency | AC connector | DC connector | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico | 127/220 V; 480 V class at larger sites | 60 Hz | J1772 (Type 1), NACS | CCS1, NACS, GB/T seen | Installation rule NOM-001-SEDE-2012; CFE connection |
| Chile | 220/380 V | 50 Hz | Type 2 (about 99% of public AC) | CCS2 (about 74%), CHAdeMO (about 23%) | SEC authorisation; RIC N°15 |
| Brazil | 127/220 V or 220/380 V by region | 60 Hz | Type 2 mainly | CCS2 mainly | Inmetro assessment under ABNT NBR IEC 61851; status described differently by sources |
| Colombia | 120/208 V, 120/240 V, 277/480 V | 60 Hz | Type 1 (regulation), Type 2 present | CCS1 (regulation), CCS2 present | A 2025 proposal to move to Type 2 / CCS2 was not yet in force when checked |
| Argentina | 220/380 V | 50 Hz | Type 2 mostly | CCS2 mostly | Confirm local rules |
| Peru | 220/380 V | 60 Hz | Type 2 mostly | CCS2 mostly | Confirm local rules |
Figures are typical and come from our Spanish research and country guides; they were not independently checked for every country. Check the latest rules and the supply at your site.
Which VULTAE version
| Market | Version | Typical choice |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico, Colombia (current practice) | North American | Type 1, CCS1 or NACS; 208–240 V AC; 480 V AC for DC chargers |
| Chile, Argentina, Peru | IEC | Type 2, CCS2; 230/400 V |
| Brazil | IEC | Type 2, CCS2; confirm 127 V vs 220 V and local rules |
Confirm the frequency (50 or 60 Hz) for the exact model. See the voltage reference and connector types.
Approvals: what we know and do not know
- Chile: SEC authorisation for charging equipment since 2021; installation under RIC N°15. See the Chile guide.
- Mexico: NOM-001-SEDE-2012 installation rule and CFE connection; specific charger and connector NOMs are in development. See the Mexico guide.
- Brazil: Inmetro ordinance for chargers based on ABNT NBR IEC 61851; sources disagree on whether it is mandatory.
- Others: we have not verified specific national requirements for chargers; check locally.
We do not claim that VULTAE chargers hold SEC, Inmetro, RETIE, NOM or other local approvals. Certificates for the exact model (CE, UKCA, TÜV for IEC versions; ETL, ENERGY STAR for North American versions) are available on request. See how to verify a certificate.
Climate and site
Altitude, earthquakes, desert sun, coastal salt and heavy rain vary a lot across the region. Check IP and IK ratings, coastal and desert enclosures and hot climates. In seismic regions, anchor cabinets and use flexible conduits.
Importer checklist
- Supply: measure voltage, phases and frequency at the site.
- Connector: confirm the vehicle fleet and the rule.
- Approval: ask the local authority or a consultant what is required for your product and use.
- Documents: test reports, manuals in Spanish or Portuguese, labels.
- Back end and payment: OCPP and local payment methods.
- Service: spare parts and technicians — see maintenance.
Spanish-language resources
Our Spanish site covers Latin America with country pages and guides written for the region. See also the Mexico and Chile guides in English.
VULTAE
VULTAE builds IEC and North American versions of AC and DC chargers with OCPP 1.6J and 2.0.1, a two-year warranty and OEM / ODM options. Send the country, supply and quantity through the contact form and we will confirm the right version.
Questions buyers ask
- What connectors are used in Latin America?
- It depends on the country. Mexico uses mainly J1772 (Type 1) for AC and CCS1 or NACS for DC. Chile uses Type 2 and mostly CCS2. Brazil is predominantly Type 2 and CCS2. Colombia’s regulation has favoured Type 1 and CCS1, with a proposal to move to Type 2 and CCS2 that was not yet in force at our last check. Always confirm the current rule.
- What voltage do EV chargers use in Mexico?
- Homes typically have 127 V and 220 V supply at 60 Hz; commercial and industrial sites often have 480 V class supply. For home and commercial AC charging a 240 V (208–240 V) configuration is used; for DC fast chargers 480 V input.
- Do I need approval to import chargers into Chile or Brazil?
- Chile requires SEC authorisation for charging equipment, and installations follow national rules. Brazil’s Inmetro assesses chargers under a specific ordinance, described by industry sources as voluntary; check the current status with a local expert.
- Where can I read about Spanish-language projects?
- Our Spanish site covers Latin America in detail, with country pages and guides written for the region.
References
- [1]Mains electricity by country (nominal values per IEC 60038). Wikipedia.
- [2]Chile: electric vehicle chargers installation in homes, public roads and buildings. TÜV Rheinland.
- [3]Mexico electric vehicle standards (NOM provisions). Foley & Lardner.
