Tinaye Agere
Harmony Agere
THE electric vehicle (EV) market in Zimbabwe is still in its infancy but industry players are confident the sector will soon register rapid growth due to measures being implemented by the Government, including the scrapping of import duty.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail Online on the current state of EV adoption in the country, BYD Zimbabwe general manager Mr Edward Muchuchuti highlighted the importance of Government support, giving reference to policies such as the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), which promotes the use of renewable energy.
“The EV market is still in its infancy in Zimbabwe, and baby steps are being taken to grow the market,” he said.
“It is still relatively quite low compared to regional countries, but we are getting there.
“There is political will from our Government, as evidenced by the crafting of NDS1, which talks about the social and infrastructural pillar that promotes renewable energy adoption.”
Challenges hindering EV adoption
While Zimbabwe is making progress, Mr Muchuchuti acknowledged significant challenges hindering the adoption of electric vehicles.
“The first challenge is education. Africa, generally, is slow in terms of adoption,” he said.
“We often ride on the bandwagon after the rest of the globe. But because of the pressures on us, I believe we will move in the right direction.”
Financial constraints also pose a barrier.
“The element of disposable income is a challenge for many individuals in the country,” he said.
“Coupled with limited access to capital, the high upfront cost of EVs makes adoption difficult.”
Mr Muchuchuti said infrastructure remains another hurdle.
“Charging stations are still a major concern,” he said.
“For example, I come from Buhera and between Harare and Buhera, there is no charging port. That affects the decision to switch to EVs.”
Efforts to expand charging infrastructure
Despite the infrastructure gaps, Mr Muchuchuti revealed that BYD Zimbabwe is actively working on solutions.
“We are very upbeat about promoting EVs and are ensuring that we roll out charging ports across the country,” he said.
“We have a deliberate plan in place, working in conjunction with other stakeholders. Within a short period, we will see a shift.”
BYD is currently engaging with Government agencies and private entities to develop charging infrastructure.
“We have been talking to quasi-government institutions like ZERA, as well as the oil industry, given their existing energy infrastructure,” he said.
“NGOs with an appetite for renewables are also on board.”
Affordability and policy considerations
Addressing concerns over EV affordability, Mr Muchuchuti stressed the importance of policy interventions.
“We are lobbying our Government to reduce the duty component of EVs to zero,” he said.
“In South Africa and Zambia, this has already been done and we believe it is a step in the right direction.”
BYD Zimbabwe is also engaging original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to understand the local market and make EVs more accessible.
“We are working to ensure our price build-up is as lean as possible to promote adoption,” said Mr Muchuchuti.
Electric buses and the transport sector
Mr Muchuchuti underscored the economic benefits of electric buses, particularly for companies managing large fleets.
“We recently worked with a banking sector partner with a huge fleet,” he said.
“Currently, they spend nearly a million dollars annually on fuel for internal combustion engines. If they shift to EVs, their budget could drop to around US$130 000.
“Once EVs are adopted in the transport sector, perhaps we will go back to the days when a bus ride from Highfield to town was just 11 cents.”
Future prospects
Mr Muchuchuti encouraged Zimbabweans to embrace EV technology now rather than waiting for the future.
“EV adoption is about the now,” he said.
“Given the economic benefits, including low cost and low maintenance, there is no reason not to make the switch.
“If you want to be frugal and economic, going for EVs is the right decision.”
The BYD ATTO3: A new contender
As part of BYD’s push into the Zimbabwean market, Mr Muchuchuti highlighted the company’s latest model, the ATT03.
“It’s designed for Zimbabwean terrain, with excellent ground clearance and advanced driver assistance technology,” he said.
“The ATT03 has a range of 420 kilometres on a single charge, which is about a week’s worth of local trips.
“it’s battery capacity of 60 kilowatts can even be used as an alternative power source during load shedding.”
With continued efforts in policy reform, infrastructure development and public awareness, Mr Muchuchuti remains optimistic about Zimbabwe’s EV future.
“We are moving in the right direction, and with collective effort, we will certainly get there.”
Online Reporter