Addis Ababa Sees Surge in Electric Vehicles Amid Fuel Shortages

Long lines at gas stations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, are becoming a common sight due to recent fuel shortages and rising prices. However, Mikial Belayneh, an electric vehicle (EV) driver in the city, has managed to avoid the queues altogether.

"I no longer line up for petrol on the road," Belayneh told CNN. His Toyota bZ4X, a popular EV model in Ethiopia, provides enough charge for two days, allowing him to bypass the fuel crisis. Belayneh, who charges his car at home, is part of a growing trend towards electric vehicles in the capital.

Addis Ababa is seeing an increasing number of electric vehicles, including cars, buses, minibuses, and motorbikes. The Ethiopian government reports there are currently around 100,000 EVs in the country, and expects this number to exceed 400,000 by 2032.

This significant shift towards EVs follows a groundbreaking policy change earlier this year. Ethiopia became the first country to ban the import of all gas-powered passenger vehicles, aiming to reduce reliance on expensive fuel imports. The government also lowered import taxes on EVs from up to 200% for gas vehicles to just 15% for electric ones.

This policy has also boosted local EV manufacturing. The Belayneh Kindie Group, based in Ethiopia, assembles electric vehicles using parts imported from China. According to Besufekad Shewaye, a manager at the company, the reduced import tariffs on EV parts have spurred increased local production.

Ethiopia's focus on EVs aligns with its commitment to renewable energy, as 96% of the country’s electricity is generated from hydropower. "They really are a clean-energy country," said Jane Akumu, a program officer at the UN Environment Programme.

The Ethiopian government's decision to ban gas-powered cars surprised many in the region. The move reflects Ethiopia's ability to quickly implement environmental policies, unlike more democratic nations that may require longer consultation processes.

Currently, car ownership in Ethiopia is relatively low, with about 1.2 million cars in total, or one car per 100 people. This is a stark contrast to higher car ownership rates in countries like the US and Nigeria. The high taxes on gas vehicles have historically kept car ownership low, encouraging public transportation use.

Despite the reduction in EV import taxes, electric cars remain costly, with most buyers being from higher income groups. Organizations like the World Resources Institute are advocating for more investment in electric public transportation to make EVs accessible to a broader population.

The transition to electric vehicles is evident, with EVs already making up nearly 10% of Ethiopia’s vehicle fleet within two years of the country’s 10-year goal to increase EV numbers. The government is confident in its progress and committed to reducing pollution from gas-powered cars.

While Ethiopia’s approach is unique, other African countries are also seeing growth in EV use. For instance, Kenya has seen a surge in electric motorbikes and introduced electric buses in Nairobi. However, widespread adoption across the continent will require further infrastructure development and government support.

Moses Nderitu, Kenya’s managing director of electric bus company BasiGo, likened the current EV market in Africa to the early days of mobile phones, predicting a similar expansion in the coming years.