And, to contribute something to the discussion: yeah, here in Argentina we have a similar situation. Import taxes are stupid high for some (most) products, making them prohibitively expensive for most people. Although high levels of inequality allow some people to access these kinds of goods, so for exmaple there's a non-zero market for iPhones here.
In the case of EVs, i haven't seen any cars here yet[1] —i suspect because of total lack of infrastructure for them, besides the high prices— but there's quite a lively market of electric scooters in Buenos Aires. They are not that expensive, and people can charge them in their homes.
This Uruguayan initiative of retrofitting electric motors into old cars is encouraging. I hope regulations serve a good purpose like setting good standards, instead of killing the movement outright :/
[1]: There's an Argentinian-made electric car with which i unfortunately share a nickname: Tito. But it's a total scam; a Chinese design ripoff with a ridiculously high price for what it's worth.
We’re in Punta del Diablo right now, and heading back down toward Montevideo (but not all the way) this weekend, then next weekend back to Montevideo to fly out. Any recommendations on where to stop on the way back? Anything important to see along the way?
And what’s up with the random street performers? :-) We’ve seen jugglers and unicyclists at seemingly random street locations, just doing their thing ? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Saludos desde el otro lado del charco!
And, to contribute something to the discussion: yeah, here in Argentina we have a similar situation. Import taxes are stupid high for some (most) products, making them prohibitively expensive for most people. Although high levels of inequality allow some people to access these kinds of goods, so for exmaple there's a non-zero market for iPhones here.
In the case of EVs, i haven't seen any cars here yet[1] —i suspect because of total lack of infrastructure for them, besides the high prices— but there's quite a lively market of electric scooters in Buenos Aires. They are not that expensive, and people can charge them in their homes.
This Uruguayan initiative of retrofitting electric motors into old cars is encouraging. I hope regulations serve a good purpose like setting good standards, instead of killing the movement outright :/
[1]: There's an Argentinian-made electric car with which i unfortunately share a nickname: Tito. But it's a total scam; a Chinese design ripoff with a ridiculously high price for what it's worth.