If you are thinking of moving to or living in Costa Rica, buying an electric vehicle can save you a lot of money. However, you must be careful, as choosing the right brand means prioritizing reliable after-sales service to avoid many headaches. BYD, through the Cori Motors Group, leads the market with a network of five establishments and eight-year warranties, while Tesla does not offer any official service.
With 99% renewable electricity, government incentives, and 267 public chargers, Costa Rica offers an ideal environment for electric vehicles, but service quality varies by brand, making local dealer networks the key factor in enjoying a worry-free ownership experience.
Top recommendations with strongest support infrastructure
BYD – Market leader with comprehensive support
Models available: Yuan Plus/Atto 3 ($28,450-$36,500), Yuan Up/S1 Pro ($28,500), Tang ($83,000), Dolphin ($22,000-$27,000), Seagull ($22,000+)
Why BYD leads for expat support:
- Grupo Cori Motors serves as official distributor with 15+ years automotive experience
- Five service locations across Costa Rica (San José, Alajuela, San Carlos, Liberia)
- Strongest parts supply chain from China with local inventory
- 8-year/150,000 km warranty with comprehensive coverage
- Market dominance – over 1,100 units sold in 2023, providing service experience
Contact: bydautocr.com, Instagram @corimotorscostarica Best models for expats: Yuan Plus offers 480-510km range with advanced features; Yuan Up provides best value at $28,500
AION and Wuling through EVE Costa Rica
Models available: AION Y (compact crossover), AION S (sedan), Wuling Mini EV (city car)
Support advantages:
- EVE Costa Rica provides official representation with technical backing
- Post-sale support services included
- Financing options available through local partnerships
- Growing Chinese brand with expanding parts network
Contact: evecr.net, San José location Best for: Expats seeking newer Chinese technology with local support backing
Hyundai KONA Electric through Grupo Q
Model available: KONA Electric Limited and Prestige versions
Why reliable for expats:
- Grupo Q operates across 6 Central American countries
- Established service network with traditional automotive backing
- English-speaking staff more commonly available at established dealers
- 10-year warranty coverage standard for Hyundai EVs globally
- SAE J1772 and DC CCS COMBO 1 charging compatibility
Contact: +506-8364-2902, hyundaicr.com Best for: Expats preferring established Korean brand reliability with regional support
Models to approach with caution
Tesla – Zero official support infrastructure
Despite approximately 100 Tesla vehicles in Costa Rica, no official Tesla service center, parts access, or warranty support exists. Tesla owners must:
- Ship vehicles to the US for major service
- Import parts independently through unauthorized channels
- Rely on local technicians without Tesla training
- Join the ~60-member Tesla Owners Club seeking unofficial support
Alternative import sources: Avali Motors, EV Imports CR Reality: High risk for expats requiring reliable service support
MG – Regional service dependency issues
Expat forums report service activation problems with MG’s i-SMART system, as Costa Rican dealers depend on Mexican distributors who “aren’t willing to help update the cars.” This creates service bottlenecks and limited escalation options beyond local dealers.
Service network geographic coverage
Concentrated in Central Valley (San José metropolitan area):
- 73% of Costa Rica’s population lives here
- All major EV service centers located in this region
- Best charging infrastructure density
Limited coverage outside Central Valley:
- Grupo Cori Motors has locations in Alajuela, San Carlos, Liberia
- Most other brands lack comprehensive nationwide service
- EVtronics operates in Guanacaste Province for some coverage
Geographic recommendation: Expats living outside the Central Valley should prioritize BYD for the most extensive service network or carefully verify service availability in their region.
Critical support infrastructure details
Warranty coverage analysis
- BYD: 8-year/150,000 km on batteries, 4-year agency warranty on vehicles
- Korean brands: 10-year/100,000-mile standard coverage where available
- Chinese brands generally: 8-year battery warranties with varying vehicle terms
- Parts exemption: Law 9518 provides import duty exemptions on EV parts, benefiting warranty coverage
Technician certification programs
Major gap: Limited brand-specific technician certification exists. Autosoporte offers international EV technician certification, but most brands lack formal training programs. This affects service quality across all brands except those with strongest local presence.
Parts availability ranking
- BYD/Chinese brands: Best availability due to established Asian import relationships
- Korean/Japanese brands: Good availability through traditional automotive supply chains
- European brands: Mixed availability, often requiring special orders
- Tesla: Significant challenges with parts embargoed to unauthorized businesses
Language and cultural considerations
English-language support varies significantly:
- Best: Hyundai, Nissan typically have English-speaking sales staff
- Limited: Chinese brands often have minimal English support
- Community support: Active expat Facebook groups (Expatriates in Costa Rica with 47,100+ members) provide real-world advice
Practical recommendation: Join local expat Facebook groups for ongoing support and shared experiences, as dealer relationships can vary significantly.
Financial and timing considerations
Current tax advantages (decreasing through 2034)
- Under $30,000: 100% tax exemption (ending June 2025)
- June 2025: Import/consumption taxes increase to 25%
- 2034: Full tax obligations begin
Total cost ownership benefits
- Energy costs: ~50% cheaper than gasoline with 99% renewable electricity
- Maintenance: 60-70% lower than traditional vehicles
- Property tax (Marchamo): 40% exemption in 2025, decreasing annually
Is this a short list? It’s all there is in Costa Rica. For expats in Costa Rica, BYD (Cori Motors Group) offers the most reliable option thanks to its extensive service network, comprehensive warranty, and availability of spare parts. AION/Wuling (EVE Costa Rica) and Hyundai (Q Group) are secondary alternatives with adequate support, while Tesla requires greater self-sufficiency and risk tolerance. Success in owning an electric vehicle depends primarily on choosing brands with solid local infrastructure, rather than on the characteristics of the vehicle itself.
