Electric Vehicle Adoption in Ethiopia: Challenges and Opportunities for Green Mobility
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Date
2023-12
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Electric vehicles are crucial alternatives to create clean transportation by offering a variety of merits such as reducing air pollution, and dependency on oil. However, price, range anxiety, lack of infrastructure such as charging infrastructures are some of the barriers to ensure a swift adoption of electric vehicles. Ethiopia as a nation stands at a crossroads with regards to its transportation future. While grappling with air pollution and dependence on fossil fuels, the country also sees the potential of electric vehicles (EVs) to drive a cleaner and more sustainable mobility landscape. This study delves into the intricate dynamics of EV adoption in Ethiopia, analyzing the challenges hindering and opportunities propelling this transition. Ambitious government targets, Ethiopia's abundant renewable energy resources for instance hydropower and geothermal, cost-effective and environmentally friendly mode of the transportation, financial savings and reductions in energy consumption and harmful emissions are among the prospects of EVs adoption. This study employed a qualitative approach combined with a data analysis of charging infrastructure availability, range anxiety, and government policies with methods such as interviews with key stakeholders and surveys to assess users’ perception. Both inductive and deductive analysis methods were employed in this study. Geographically, the study is confined to Addis Ababa city. Through a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and opportunities, this study provided a nuanced understanding of the factors influencing EV adoption in Ethiopia, identify key interventions and policy measures to accelerate the transition to electric mobility. The findings show that the main challenges of the adoption of electric vehicles in the first place are high upfront cost of electric vehicles, which is responded by 25% of the respondents. Limited charging infrastructure is being identified by 16.7% of respondents as a major conundrum to adopt the vehicles. Lack of awareness and knowledge among the population is another factor that limited the adoption of electric vehicles, according to 16.67% of respondents. High import taxes, limited charging infrastructure and inadequate policies such as absence of regulations to build and administer charging infrastructures are among the factors that are hindering swift adoption of electric vehicles. The study concludes that Ethiopia can leapfrog old systems and embrace EVs, leading in development and avoiding used gasoline cars. Overall, EV adoption promises a positive impact on future sustainability and efficiency. To encourage EV adoption in Ethiopia, the study recommends financial incentives such as reducing the purchase costs through tax breaks, subsidies, and above all customs exemptions, build charging stations, especially fastcharging options, and incentivize their installation. Non-financial incentives on the other hand includes dedicated parking, green zones, and other benefits for EVs.
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Electric Vehicle Adoption, Challenges and Opportunities