https://www.thecooldown.com/green-business/ethiopia-ban-on-gas-vehicles/
By Kaiyo FunakiApril 6, 2024
Ethiopia announced earlier this year its plan to ban the import of all non-electric automobiles, becoming the first country to outlaw the entry of internal combustion engine vehicles.
Electrek noted that specifics were scant but that the resolution served as a win for the nation’s environmental impact and economy. “A decision has been made, that automobiles cannot enter Ethiopia unless they are electric ones,” Minister for Transport and Logistics Alemu Sime said.
As stated in its Ten Years Development Plan, officials want to reduce Ethiopia’s output of planet-warming pollution from the transportation sector from 41 million metric tons (about 45 million tons) to 27.8 million metric tons (about 30.6 million tons) of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2030.
Additionally, the country’s Long-Term Low Emission And Climate Resilient Development Strategy report allocated $13.44 billion through 2050 toward charging stations, electric vehicles, and electric buses.
However, the most recent data from the World Bank shows that just over 54% of people in Ethiopia have access to electricity. Furthermore, there are potential financial barriers to purchasing EVs and the lack of charging infrastructure. As such, Sime noted that addressing the latter point remained a high priority.
Though it’s unclear what the exact details of Ethiopia’s ban on dirty-energy-based automobiles will be, it will mark a huge step for the country to meet its pollution-reduction goals.
