Ethiopia's Historic Move to Electric Vehicles

Ethiopia has made a groundbreaking decision to ban the importation of petrol and diesel vehicles, becoming the first nation to do so completely. Starting from January 29, 2024, the country will only permit electric vehicles (EVs) to enter, aiming to increase the number of EV imports from 100,000 to 500,000 monthly by 2030. This ambitious policy shift has generated significant public interest and a growing presence of EVs on the streets, particularly in urban areas like Addis Ababa, where their adoption is becoming more noticeable. While initial confusion around charging infrastructure and vehicle maintenance existed, public sentiment is gradually shifting towards greater acceptance as people experience the benefits of electric mobility.