The idea of Hybrid cars lose their exemption from the peak and plate traffic restriction in Bogotá This has been generating controversy for months among drivers, dealerships, and industry associations. Amid leaks, media reports, and conflicting statements from the Mayor's office, many owners are wondering if this advantage, which was key to their car purchase, could disappear overnight.
Despite the rumors, the official message today is clear: There will be no driving restrictions for hybrid vehicles in Bogotá, at least until 2027.The exemption is included in the Development Plan “Bogotá Walks Safely 2024-2027”, approved by the City Council, which legally protects the benefit and prevents improvised changes through administrative channels.
What has the Mayor's office really said about the driving restrictions for hybrid vehicles?
Mayor Carlos Fernando Galán He had to clarify the situation after several press reports suggested a possible policy shift. According to the president, There are no studies underway to eliminate the exemption for non-plug-in hybrids nor a formal project on the table of the Ministry of Mobility.
Galán has reiterated that The exception for hybrids is guaranteed for the duration of the Development PlanAny modification would have to go through the process again. Bogota Council, so that It cannot be changed by decree or regulation from the Mayor's office. That nuance is key to providing some reassurance to those who have already purchased a vehicle with this technology.
However, the mayor himself has admitted that The category of “hybrid vehicle” is very broad And that not all models have the same environmental impact. There are cars with a very limited electrical system, which They reduce consumption and emissions by just a few points compared to a modern gasoline engine, and others that do achieve much more significant reductions.
Meanwhile, several journalistic reports—especially from Blu radio— they spoke of an alleged internal evaluation to remove the exemption for non-plug-in hybridsIn those consultations, the Mobility Secretariat avoided definitively confirming or denying the technical debate, which fueled the feeling that the issue was "on the table," although without any official document.
Possibility of future changes: technical debate, not immediate regulation
Although the current legal position is stable, The fundamental debate is not closedThe district administration and various experts agree that, sooner or later, it will be necessary to Refine the criteria for granting benefits to "low-emission" technologiesAnd that's where the different types of hybrids come in.
In Colombian legislation, several very different solutions are grouped under the same label: mild hybrids (MHEV), full hybrids (HEV), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and even extended range electric vehicles (E-REV)Today, everyone is generally given similar advantages in terms of peak and plate restrictions, even though their actual contribution to the city's air quality varies greatly.
Galán has acknowledged that “There are vehicles that are considered hybrids that really shouldn't be considered as such.” when it comes to granting incentives, but he insisted that Any potential reclassification should be discussed at the national level., with the participation of the central government and the Ministry of Transport, and not just from the District.
The position of the Ministry of Mobility, reiterated to media outlets such as Week, is categorical: “The peak-hour traffic restriction for hybrid vehicles is not being evaluated. The Development Plan includes an exception, and it cannot be modified.”In other words, there may be technical discussions, but There is no formal procedure to change the rule.
In any case, the Mayor's office does not rule out the possibility that, in the future, further studies will be conducted. finer criteria for differentiating technologiesespecially if Bogotá decides to align itself with European real-world emissions classification standardswhere there is a much greater distinction between hybrids with minimal electric support and systems capable of traveling long distances without burning fuel.
What hybrids exist and why are some being targeted while others are not?
Much of the confusion comes from lumping together... all the “hybrids”From a technical point of view, the range is broad, and the political discussion revolves precisely around that diversity.
The light hybrid or mild hybrid (MHEV) they set up a small generator and a low voltage battery (12, 24 or 48 volts) that assist the combustion engine during starts and accelerations. They cannot move the car on their own in electric modeso that the improvement in consumption and emissions is, in many cases, around 7% compared to a conventional car.
Then there are the full hybrids (HEV)popularized by models such as Toyota Corolla, Corolla Cross or RAV4. They incorporate larger batteries that are recharged by regenerative braking and the combustion engineThis allows for short trips or maneuvering in fully electric mode. Even so, the The gasoline engine remains the star. And the car cannot travel long distances without fossil fuel.
Above them are the plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), with considerable batteries that They are connected to the electrical gridIn the city they can explore between 40 and up to 200 km in 100% electric modeDepending on the model and the user's charging habits, in practice they function like an electric vehicle for everyday use and only resort to the combustion engine when the battery is depleted.
Finally, the so-called extended range electrics (E-REV) —like some models with Nissan's e-Power technology or the new generation of Chinese brands' offerings— are, for all intents and purposes, electric vehicles always powered by an electric motorThe combustion engine does not move the wheelsbut it acts as a generator to power the battery when the charge level drops.
How would a peak and plate system impact non-plug-in hybrids
The reports that pointed to a possible Peak and plate restrictions specific to non-plug-in hybrids This raised alarms in the sector. According to data from trade associations such as Let's walk, In 2025, 87.677 were registered in Colombia. electrified vehicles, a jump of 69% compared to the previous year.
Of that total, around 74,5% corresponds to light and full hybridsThat is to say, precisely the MHEV and HEV who would lose their exemption if a restriction like the one that has been raised in the public debate were applied. The trade association warns that More than 80.000 property owners could be affected. due to a rule change mid-game.
The technical director of Andemos, Rodrigo ÁngelHe has been clear: in his opinion, Removing the exemption would punish those who trusted the existing regulations. when they decided to invest in an electric vehicle. In addition to the loss of convenience in daily mobility, The resale value would suffer of these cars, with a direct blow to the assets of thousands of families.
The Colombian market also shows that Electrification is no longer a niche marketIn the last year analyzed, approximately 34% of new car sales had some degree of electrificationDriven by advantages such as peak-hour traffic restrictions, lower operating costs, and tax breaks. Abruptly altering one of these incentives This could bring the renewal of the vehicle fleet to a screeching halt., whose average age is around 19 years.
However, Ángel has also introduced important nuances: the The level of actual emissions does not depend solely on technologybut rather how it's used. A plug-in hybrid that never connects to the grid and runs almost exclusively on gasoline. can pollute more than a non-plug-in hybrid used effectively in the city. Hence simplistic classifications may lead to ineffective regulatory decisions.
What happens in the meantime: current rules and indirect changes
While the technical debate continues, The current rules in Bogotá are clear: The hybrid vehicles (MHEV, HEV and PHEV) that they are properly registered with the Ministry of Mobility They continue to be exempt from peak hours and license plate restrictions from Monday to Friday.
The exemption, however, It's not automatic simply because the car is a hybrid.The owner must carry out the registration process on the official platform from the District so that the system recognizes the technology and applies the benefit. This is relevant for both new cars and used cars imported or transferred from another municipality.
Meanwhile, the City Council has redirected its focus to another front: the vehicles registered outside of Bogotá that circulate daily through the city but They pay taxes in other municipalitiesAccording to official estimates, around Three out of every ten cars that move around the capital have external license plates..
To correct this imbalance, the District has tightened the solidarity peak and plate and has announced new restrictions on Saturdays for private vehicles not registered in Bogotá. Although Hybrids and electric vehicles remain exempt from the ordinary restrictionThese adjustments put added pressure on those who do not pay taxes in the city.
In addition, an incentive that weighs heavily on people's wallets has been reinforced: the hybrid vehicles registered in Bogotá can access a 40% discount on vehicle tax for five years, a measure that the local government directly links to its energy transition strategy and improvement of air quality.
The situation of Hybrid cars versus the peak and plate traffic restriction in Bogotá It combines two dimensions today: on the one hand, a stable legal framework which guarantees the exemption at least until 2027; on the other hand, a technical and political debate in evolution about which technologies truly deserve those privileges. In practice, those who already own a hybrid can continue driving without restriction, but the noise surrounding so-called “hybrids of lies”The surge in sales of electrified vehicles and the pressure to adopt stricter standards make it clear that The discussion about these benefits will continue In the coming years, in Bogotá and, foreseeably, also in other European cities and countries that are closely scrutinizing the effectiveness of their sustainable mobility policies.
