EV Import Delays Hit Ecuador as RoRo Capacity Tightens

Ecuador's electric-vehicle demand is rising faster than import logistics can absorb.

Primicias reports that 4,019 electric vehicles were sold in Ecuador from January through May 2026, more than three times the volume sold in the same five-month period of 2025, according to AEADE.

Demand And Brand Exposure

BYD is the largest Chinese EV brand in the country, and Andor Corp has imported its light vehicles to Ecuador since 2023. Primicias reports that BYD's Yuan Pro is the fifth-best-selling vehicle in the country, competing against traditional combustion models.

Logistics Constraint

The bottleneck is not limited to retail demand. Primicias cites logistics executive Miguel Zaldumbide of Schryver Logistics Ecuador, who said RoRo shipping spaces for Ecuador have declined by around 30%.

The source reports that the constraint is affecting BYD as well as other brands including Skywell, Dongfeng, Chery, Honda and some India- or Thailand-assembled models.

Not every distributor is equally exposed. Kia Ecuador reported enough stock across eight electric models, while JAC Azul reported immediate nationwide availability of the E30x and E10X.

Business Signal

The EV segment is no longer a niche import category. At 4,019 units through May and a 39% BYD share, shipping delays can directly affect dealer working capital, customer delivery timelines and brand-switching behavior.

The higher-cost alternative is container shipment. That protects delivery timing but raises landed cost pressure if container pricing remains above USD 6,000.

What to watch

• Whether RoRo capacity for Ecuador normalizes after the current logistics disruption.
• BYD delivery times through August.
• Whether buyers shift toward brands reporting immediate local stock.
• Whether higher logistics costs are absorbed by distributors or passed to consumers.

Source: Primicias