Ethiopia becomes the first country to ban the import of gasoline and diesel cars, driving a rapid shift to electric vehicles powered by hydropower. Over 100,000 EVs are now on the roads, reshaping Addis Ababa’s transport and cutting fuel costs.
Ethiopia has made history as the first nation to ban the import of gasoline and diesel cars, pushing electric vehicles (EVs) into the mainstream. Since the policy took effect in 2024, Addis Ababa’s congested streets have seen a surge of clean, quiet electric buses and cars.
Commuters say the difference is clear. “They don’t emit fumes or make that annoying noise,” one passenger noted, while others praised the comfort and air quality improvements.
Unlike many countries, Ethiopia’s EV revolution is genuinely green. With 96% of electricity generated from hydropower — and the massive Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam doubling supply — the nation’s vehicles run on renewable energy.
The ban is also about saving money. Ethiopia spent €4 billion on fuel imports in 2023–24, with prices tripling since 2022. Drivers switching to EVs report huge savings: taxi driver Abdurahman Ali cut monthly fuel costs from 50,000 birr to just 5,000 by charging at home.
So far, over 100,000 EVs are now on Ethiopia’s roads — more than 5% of the fleet, matching EU levels as the country targets 500,000 EVs by 2030. Addis Ababa also plans to electrify its 8,000–10,000 shared minibuses, the backbone of city transport.
Nevertheless, there are challenges ahead as charging infrastructure presently remains limited, with only about 500 stations nationwide, mostly in Addis Ababa. Entrepreneurs are stepping in, opening 24-hour hubs with apps for transparent pricing, but outages remain a hurdle.
Ethiopia’s bold move positions it as a continental leader in climate-friendly transport, showing how renewable energy and policy can drive rapid change. For a nation where half the population still lives without electricity, the EV boom is both a challenge and a symbol of ambition.
PHOTO CAPTION: Ethiopia is driving a green revolution, replacing gas-powered cars and buses with electric vehicles to cut costs and pollution. © Brian Inganga/AP Photo
