The Ethiopian Minister of Transport and Logistics, Alemu Sime, has announced a ban on fossil-fuel vehicles in the country, revealing a plan to only allow electric vehicles (EVs). This bold move, made at a parliamentary meeting in Addis Ababa on February 6, 2024, builds on Ethiopia’s completed Logistics Master Plan, which embodies a strategic shift to “Green Transport”.
The ban will be strictly enforced, with smoke tests proposed for existing vehicles; those which fail will be deemed road-unfit. In anticipation of a surge in electric vehicles, the government is developing plans to establish a widespread EV charging infrastructure.
This policy follows the 2022 implementation of tax exemptions for electric cars, pointing to the government’s dedication to this green initiative.
According to Minister Sime, the only practical way to cut down on fuel import costs and reduce pollution levels is an immediate ban on importing non-electric vehicles, irrespective of their age.
This move aligns with Ethiopia’s green initiatives, encapsulated in the parliament-approved Ten Years Development Plan (2021-2030), which has a goal of introducing at least 152,800 electric vehicles by the end of the decade.
With approximately 7,200 EVs out of 1.2 million cars on the road, Ethiopia has a long journey ahead.
However, there are significant unanswered questions about this initiative: it is unclear when the new policy will take effect or how it will impact vehicles already on order. There are also cost considerations, as the price of EVs could prove prohibitive for many Ethiopians, underlining the country’s economic disparity.
