Though some people may not realize it, Mexico actively encourages its residents to purchase and drive electric vehicles to cut down on gas emission. In fact, along with Paris, Rome, Madrid and Athens, Mexico City plans to ban vehicles using diesel in 2025. There are currently over 500 electric cars and 15,000 hybrid cars in Mexico. You can also purchase the Model 3 Tesla in Mexico. But what if you already have an electric car and want to take it across the border to Mexico? Are there chargers available from San Diego to Mexico?
Say you’ve planned a trip to the gorgeous area of Ensenada, Mexico. You’ll be leaving San Diego, California and heading straight south to Baja California (Ensenada). Ensenada is a beautiful, bustling area that offers plenty of wine tours and breathtaking views. With so much to see and do on vacation, you want to have as much transportation freedom as possible. You’d like to take your electric car, but it’s important there are enough charging ports along the way to make it across the border.
San Diego has 57 charging stations for electric vehicles. There are apps you can download that provide a map of all electric vehicle charging stations nearby. From San Diego Airport to Ensenada, here are some of the convenient charging stations along the way.
- San Diego Lindbergh Airport. 3200 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
- Aladdin Parking. 2548 Kettner Blvd
- Hampton Inn. 1531 Pacific Hwy
- Lane Field North Garage. 900 Bayfront Ct
- Manchester Grand Hyatt. One Market Place
- San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina. 333 West Harbor Drive
- Ace Parking-Omni Hotel. 675 L Street
- Hilton San Diego Bayfront. 1 Park Blvd
- Cesar E. Chavez Campus (SDCC). 1901 Main St
- Frank Toyota. 2400 National City Blvd
- Seven Mile Casino. 285 Bay Blvd
- Otay-Nestor Branch Library. 3003 Coronado Ave
- Hotel Pueblo Amigo. Via Oriente No. 9211, Zona del Rio, Zona Urbana Rio Tijuana.* The first electric vehicle station upon entering Mexico.
- Rosarito Beach Hotel. Blvd. Benito Juarez 31, Centro, Playas Rosarito
- Marina Puerto Salina. Autopista Tijuana Ensenada KM 73 Abelardo L. Rodriguez
- Cuatro Cuatros. El Tigre, Carretera libra Tijuana-Ensenada Km. 89 El Sauzal de Rodriguez
This isn’t a comprehensive list. Some charging stations are under repair and there are many others in the same areas to choose from. These are also only public charging stations and don’t account for restricted, residential or high-power stations. There are certain stretches where a driver may need to go out of their way to reach a charging station before hopping back onto the road. Make sure to plan your trip accordingly.
There are plenty of Tesla destination chargers on the road within the same areas as the other electric car chargers.
Do I Need Mexican Auto Insurance for My Electric Car?
No matter what type of vehicle you drive into Mexico, you’ll need a This is because Mexico does not recognize American auto insurance as valid. Mexico requires visitors to carry a minimum of liability insurance to pay for other people’s needs if the visitor causes a wreck. There are no laws specifically for electric cars, but all laws pertaining to vehicles also apply to your electric car.
What You Need
When driving to Mexico, make sure to bring:
- A valid ID
- Valid license plates
- Mexican car insurance
- A passport
You may not always need to present a passport going into Mexico, but you will need it leaving.