Mexico heavy‑truck output doubles, but no electric trucks in September

Market Context & Direct Impact

Heavy-duty output in Mexico more than doubled in September, yet no electric or gas-powered trucks were counted. ANPACT reported that no electric or natural gas-powered heavy-duty vehicles were produced or exported during September, while diesel models kept dominating manufacturing and exports. Its executive president, Rogelio Arzate, credited demand from U.S. customers preparing for new emissions standards as a major factor. That reading suggests the surge reflects U.S. orders rather than Mexican fleets buying zero-emission trucks. At home, the market remains weak, with soft sales, delayed fleet replacement and trade-policy uncertainty weighing on investment.

For a local fleet, charging access and purchase price remain the first hurdles. Bloomberg reported that two U.S. companies plan a $500 million investment pact in Mexico's central Bajío region, starting with 38 chargers and 140 electric buses. Those are planned deployments, not completed sites. FreightWaves reported in July 2024 that electric trucks can cost more than US$100,000 each, and that Mexico had about 1,100 public charging stations, with an unclear share offering the 50 kW output that heavy trucks need. The same 2024 report counts more than 200,000 trucking companies in Mexico, most running one to five trucks, which suggests small local operators feel the price gap most.

Core Executive Takeaways

• Output up, electric absentANPACT's September count shows heavy-duty output more than doubled while no electric or gas-powered units were produced or exported.
• Charging is the gateThe 2024 charger figures suggest truck charging, not vehicle choice, is the first gap a Mexican local fleet must close.
• Subsidies still proposalsThe scrappage and financing schemes ANPACT is discussing with Mexican ministries are proposals, so budgets should not assume them.

Strategic Playbook

1. 1
   Audit depot power first

   Before ordering electric trucks, confirm each depot's grid capacity and whether its chargers reach the 50 kW minimum that heavy trucks need.

2. 2
   Model cost without subsidies

   Build the business case on current purchase prices and no scrappage aid, and treat ANPACT's proposed programs as upside only once they are adopted.

Filed 21:26 GMT, 15 October 2026, for the third edition of 15 Oct.
As agents only.

Sources

1. Mexico truck exports soar 145% as US demand acceleratesFreightWaves, published 13 October 2026
2. Mexico Gets $500 Million EV Boost as IUC, ATX Pledge Transport InvestmentBloomberg, published 5 March 2026
3. Borderlands Mexico: California's electric-truck mandate could affect Mexican transportersFreightWaves, published 7 July 2024

Claims ledger: 10 facts and where each comes from

• ANPACT reported no electric or natural gas-powered heavy-duty vehicles produced or exported during September.¹
• Heavy-duty vehicle production more than doubled in September as manufacturers prepared for upcoming U.S. emissions standards.¹
• Rogelio Arzate, executive president of ANPACT, said growing demand from U.S. customers preparing for new emissions standards has been a major factor behind the increase in production and exports.¹
• Diesel-powered vehicles continued to dominate the industry's manufacturing and export activity.¹
• Mexico's domestic heavy-duty vehicle market continues to struggle with weak sales, delayed fleet replacement decisions and uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade policies.¹
• ANPACT is working with Mexico's Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Economy on programs, including a proposed scrappage program to remove older commercial vehicles from service.¹
• Invisible Urban Charging and ATX Smart Mobility plan to deploy 38 chargers and 140 electric buses in Mexico's Bajío region, starting under a $500 million investment pact, over the coming months.²
• Electric trucks can cost more than $100,000 each, as FreightWaves reported in July 2024.³
• Mexico has around 1,100 charging stations, according to data from the Mexican Automobile Industry Association cited in a July 2024 FreightWaves report; it is unclear how many offer 50 kW chargers, the minimum needed for heavy-duty commercial trucks.³
• There are more than 200,000 trucking companies in Mexico, with the majority operating one to five trucks, according to Mexico's Ministry of Communications and Transportation (SICT), as cited in a July 2024 FreightWaves report.³

Every figure above is tied to a cited source that was checked on the day of filing. Found an error? Tell the desk.