Tired of gasoline shortages and skyrocketing prices, Simón Huanca took matters into his own hands.

The 53-year-old Indigenous artisan imported a Chinese electric car to navigate El Alto, Bolivia's highest city, using the vehicle to transport both his family and the alpaca wool for his weaving workshop.

He also installed a dedicated charger in his own garage, mainly for convenience, but also because there are only three public charging stations serving the vast metropolitan area of El Alto and neighbouring La Paz, home to more than 1.6 million people.