Ethiopia to Block Imports of Gas-Powered Cars With Electric Vehicle Transition but Stalls Due to Infrastructure Issues

Currently, Ethiopia's EV infrastructure lacks adequate power, mechanics, and parts.

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Cars drive past by the newly planted trees and light installations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on July 27, 2024. Addis Ababa's urban renewal brings modern infrastructure and new challenges, with steep fines for traffic violations and new regulations. AMANUEL SILESHI/AFP via Getty Images

Cars running on gasoline will no longer be available as imports in Ethiopia due to the country's full shift to electric vehicles for a green economy, however, buyers are seeing several lacking infrastructures to make this work.

Buyers and gas-powered AR users complain that the country faces unreliability electricity issues, a lack of mechanics to service EVs, and extremely expensive costs for spare parts.

AP News shared that the government's ban, introduced in January, was meant to save on foreign currency spent on fuel subsidies. At the same time, it's part of the industry's climate support policies. Unfortunately, the infrastructure needed for EVs is still ripe in the country and instead of encouraging gas-powered car users, it's pushing them to reconsider their choices.

This is where the Grand Renaissance Dam will be relevant.

Ethiopia's Effort to Support Electric Vehicles

According to Voice of America English News, the government stated that the dam will generate enough electricity to support the increasing number of EVs, with a target of importing 500,000 EVs monthly by 2030.

More than electricity generation, Ethiopia has several more problems; lack of support for charging and pairs, per taxi drivers in Addis Ababa.

Currently, there are thousands of local mechanics in the country, but they lack the skills and parts to fix electric vehicles, with only a few garages that can help. In fact, many EVs are now stuck in repair shops awaiting from China.

The Ethiopian government responds with plans to invest in public charging stations and build a plant to manufacture EV batteries, which would reduce dependency on imports. Without immediate changes, however, Ethiopian customers and business owners will opt to sell their EVs and get gas-powered cars instead for practicality, considering current conditions.

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Electric Vehicle

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