The global greenhouse gas emissions are increasing. One of the reasons for this is the use of fuel-powered vehicles. According to data, vehicle greenhouse gas emissions are expected to reach 40 million tons by 2029/30. This has a significant negative impact on climate change.
Countries are taking various measures to address the problem; one of these is promotion of vehicles powered by renewable energy. Following this, electric vehicles are being widely used on highways.
The Ethiopian government is also focusing on the development of the sector considering the relative advantages of electric vehicles compared to fuel-powered vehicles and recognizing the benefits of building a transport sector based on renewable energy to build a green economy that is resilient to climate change. The implementation of green transportation in accordance with the ten-year plan that uses renewable energy properly, does not harm the health of the community and does not cause environmental pollution.
The government has implemented a tax reform that encourages industries and importers to invest in electric vehicles and makes the community benefit from this service. The tax reform aims to make the rapidly growing number of vehicles in Ethiopia compatible with environmental safety within a policy framework, to implement a transportation system that does not harm the health of the community, does not affect the climate and biodiversity, and uses renewable energy sources properly, and to enable electric vehicles to be made available to the community at an affordable price.
These vehicles were previously imported directly from abroad, but understanding their benefits, the government has not only created a favorable environment for their widespread import from abroad, but also created a favorable environment for their assembly in the country. Following this, investors have invested in the assembly of electric vehicles.
Following the steps taken by the government to encourage electric vehicles, the number of electric vehicles has increased. According to last month’s data; the number of companies assembling electric vehicles in the country has reached 15, while those importing the vehicles have increased to more than 200.
As highlighted at the recent Ethio-Green Mobility 2024 International Exhibition and Symposium on Green Transport and Logistics organized by the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, the country needs to continue to invest extensively in this important investment for building a green economy and breaking away from oil dependence.
Attending the opening of the forum, Speaker of the House of People’s Representatives, Tagese Chafo, said that sustainable and reliable green development that can withstand the global impact of climate change must be carried out. Ethiopia has a potential for renewable energy that can support green transport. It is working to become a pioneer in green transport by utilizing this potential.
He indicated that the country is using its green potential to prevent damage to the environment and to realize strong renewable energy generation that supports national prosperity in the long term. He also noted that the Ethio-Green Mobility 2024 Exhibition and Symposium is a showcase of how the country can harness the potential of green energy; it indicated the level of progress the world has made in the sector and the great work that waits ahead.
The Speaker said promising results are being recorded in the efforts to bring about a complete transformation in the country, ensure growth and prosperity, and gradually improve the lives of the people. However, there are also challenges that require further efforts, both national and global, such as climate change and urban sprawl. New innovations and good opportunities are being observed in the efforts to overcome these problems. This creates opportunities to grow the economy and utilize potential resources.
Speaker Tagese noted that countries are moving away from carbon-based transportation and are introducing electric and other renewable energy vehicles into service, and said that Ethiopia is also working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels in the transport and logistics sector. A policy is being developed and implemented to encourage the production and assembly of electric vehicles in the country and to encourage investments in infrastructure for this purpose. Since renewable energy is sustainable and a cornerstone for improving the lives of citizens, all stakeholders should work together to ensure the success of investments in this direction.
Minister of Transport and Logistics, Alemu Sime (PhD), for his part, said that the program is one of the activities aimed at realizing a green economy to ensure equal benefits for citizens, citing Ethiopia’s commitment to green development. He indicated that Ethiopia is improving its transport landscape to become a pioneer in green economic development by utilizing its renewable energy resources.
He also stated that the ten-year transport plan will prioritize non-motorized transport strategies, public transport policies and electric vehicles, and that the necessary infrastructure is being developed to meet this need and create a healthy lifestyle. The Ministry is working hard to provide various incentives for vehicles using renewable energy or electric vehicles and to establish convenient infrastructure.
As to him, green development projects initiated to maintain Addis Ababa as a diplomatic and economic center are being supported by green transportation. Electric vehicles will help reduce the foreign exchange spent on fuel purchases by reducing the dependence on oil; the sector has a significant contribution to economic growth, and the Ministry is providing the necessary support to the private sector that is engaged in the sector.
The Minister noted that electric vehicles, in addition to their economic benefits and air pollution prevention, will also help reduce noise pollution and accelerate technology transfer. He also confirmed that efforts to expand bicycle and pedestrian paths will continue to be strengthened in addition to vehicle infrastructure to reduce fuel dependence, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create a healthy society.
Executive Director of Electrification and Energy Information at the Ministry of Water and Energy, Mesfin Dabi, said that the Ethio-Green Mobility 2024 Exhibition and Convention showed that there is a wide opportunity to use renewable energy technologies other than fossil fuels. It has provided a great experience that enables replace the fossil fuel-based transport sector with a completely renewable energy supply.
According to him, the introduction of renewable energy-based transport services will contribute significantly to preventing climate change by reducing carbon emissions from fossil fuels. In addition, the economic benefits are significant in terms of reducing the country’s annual expenditure on fossil fuels.
He pointed out that the Ministry of Water and Energy is working to increase the use of renewable energy in all sectors such as; the manufacturing industry, the transportation sector, and even the household level is based entirely on renewable energy technologies. A policy has been formulated and implemented to ensure that energy development is based on renewable energy and is inclusive.
Setegn Engdaw, Head of Communications at Belayneh Kinde Group, one of the institutions participated in the fair, noted that the Group has been manufacturing dry and liquid cargo trucks domestically for the past eight years, and since 2023, it has shifted to assembling electric vehicles.
In this regard, he indicated that in the first round, 216 electric minibuses with a capacity of more than 15 people were assembled and put into operation by the Addis Ababa City Administration and other institutions, and that a sister company called Velocity has been established and is providing transportation services in Addis Ababa city with 20 minibuses and two buses.
He recalled that the company has been focusing on minibuses; and through the factory it built in Debre Birhan city, it is assembling and marketing electric buses that can reach most of the community. He announced that so far, about ten buses have been assembled and delivered to users.
He also stated that in order to solve the problem of electric car chargers that is being faced as a country, fast electric chargers with a capacity of 60 to 160 kilowatts have been imported and marketed.
According to Engedasew Demise, Public Relations Manager of Khaki Motors, who participated in the event, Khaki Motors has been providing a wide range of trucks in the country for over twenty years; it is also providing services by opening a large Isuzu dealership in the country.
He noted that in order to achieve the country’s focus on renewable energy, it is importing electric vehicles into the country and providing them to consumers, and that it is continuously working to assemble imported electric vehicles locally. The exhibition showed how much potential there is in the sector, and the benefits for market linkages are high.
More than 700 stakeholders participated in the first-ever Ethio Green Mobility 2024 Exhibition and Symposium. The event brought together green transport and infrastructure manufacturers, installers, importers, industry leaders, policymakers and other stakeholders. It was noted that this was held with the aim of creating collaboration opportunities, exchanging best practices and promoting technologies that contribute to a green and safe and efficient transport sector
BY BACHA ZEWDIE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 20 DECEMBER 2024
