Ethiopia Banning Non-Electric Car Imports

Historically, economically less developed countries have been the recipients of older, “out of date” vehicles from Europe, the US, and Japan. This trend has raised concerns for those with a global perspective as these regions transition to electrification. The question arises whether markets like Ethiopia will continue to receive millions of gas and diesel vehicles and be delayed in reaping the benefits of electrification. It’s encouraging to see some Chinese automakers, such as BYD, looking to export electric vehicles to various markets worldwide, including Norway, the Netherlands, Kenya, Ethiopia, Chile, and Mexico. However, is this enough?

No, it’s not enough. Strong policies are essential to ensure that cities and towns have access to cleaner cars, cleaner air, and a quieter urban atmosphere.

It is heartening to note that Ethiopia is taking proactive steps to benefit its citizens. While details are scarce, Alemu Sime of the Ethiopian Ministry of Transport and Logistics recently announced that the country will no longer allow non-electric cars to enter the market. Sime stated, “A decision has been made that automobiles cannot enter Ethiopia unless they are electric ones,” according to APA News.

It remains unclear whether Sime’s statement applies only to new cars or also includes used cars. The timeline for this action is also uncertain. More details are expected to emerge and will be reported as they become available.

Notably, Sime emphasized the government’s focus on developing EV charging infrastructure, and the Ethiopian government implemented electric car tax exemptions in 2022. These actions illustrate Ethiopia’s commitment beyond mere statements, signaling the potential for a ban on imports of all fossil-powered cars in the near future.

Featured photo by Yohannes Minas on Unsplash