Electric and hybrid cars for sale in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has more than 41,000 registered electric vehicles, and the Ley 9518 incentives make buying a used one increasingly common. Here are the electric and hybrid cars listed today, and what differs between the two.
Electric
6 for saleHybrid
18 for saleElectric or hybrid: what each one gets
| Benefit | Electric (100%) | Hybrid |
|---|---|---|
| Green plate | Yes | No |
| Exempt from the San José driving restriction | Yes | No |
| Preferential parking | Yes | No |
| 2026 Marchamo discount | 20% of the property tax if it entered the country between 2022 and 2025 | No |
| Lower import taxes | Yes, including used cars up to 5 years old | No |
Good to know
The green plate is only for 100% electric vehicles. Since 2024, COSEVI has Dekra check that the vehicle has no combustion engine: hybrids, including range extenders, don't qualify and must return the plate if they have one.
With a green plate, the car isn't subject to the driving restriction inside the Circunvalación (Ley 9518, article 14). A hybrid follows the restriction by the last digit of its plate.
The EV Marchamo discount shrinks every year: in 2026 it is 20% of the property tax for cars that entered between 2022 and 2025, and from 2027 they pay the full tax, barring a new reform.
Import taxes on electric cars went up in June 2025, when the full exemption ended: they now pay 25% of the selective consumption tax and the customs value tax. Used imports up to 5 years old get the same benefit.
Before buying a used electric car
- Ask for a battery state-of-health (SOH) report and whether it's still under warranty.
- Confirm which charger is included and which connector it uses.
- Look up the Marchamo by plate to see the fiscal value and any pending payments.
- Check the plate matches the vehicle: a hybrid shouldn't have a green plate.
Do hybrid cars get a green plate in Costa Rica?
No. The green plate is only for 100% electric vehicles. COSEVI confirmed in 2024 that hybrids don't qualify and must change the plate if they have one.
Are electric cars subject to the driving restriction?
No. Vehicles with a green plate aren't subject to the metropolitan driving restriction. Hybrids are.
How much is the EV discount on the Marchamo?
In 2026, 20% of the property tax for cars that entered the country between 2022 and 2025. From 2027 they pay the full tax, barring a new reform.