Chinese EVs drive Ethiopia’s energy shift

Drivers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia are increasingly lining up not at fuel stations, but at electric charging points, as rising transport costs and shifting consumer habits reshape how the city moves. What was once an occasional sight has become more common, with queues forming at charging stations as the number of electric vehicles grows.

The change reflects a broader transition underway in Ethiopia, where persistent fuel price pressures — intensified by global supply disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East — are pushing drivers toward electric mobility as a more stable and affordable alternative.

“It’s very common, when 10 cars come, only six can charge in this station, so they line up,” said Goliyad Yishak, an operator at an EV charging station in Addis Ababa, describing how demand is beginning to outpace available infrastructure.

For him, the queues forming around charging points are no longer unusual. Instead, they reflect a quiet but steady shift in how Ethiopia’s capital is moving.

“After fuel costs went higher, there are many EV cars,” Yishak said, noting a visible increase in electric vehicles at charging stations.

Rising fuel prices have emerged as one of the strongest drivers of change. In a country that relies heavily on imported petroleum, fluctuations in global markets have had direct effects on transport costs, prompting both individuals and businesses to explore alternatives.

Bereket Worku, a marketing manager associated with Chinese electric two-wheeler brand Yadea, said the demand for electric motorcycles has grown rapidly over the past year. “The consumer demand is so high because of the high fuel costs caused by the war,” he said.

For many users, the financial difference is significant. Worku said charging an electric motorcycle can cost around 10 birr (6 US cents) per day, compared with far higher daily fuel expenses for conventional vehicles. “You only lose 10 birr per day … but for fuel maybe 1,000 birr per day … it’s more than 1 to 100 ratio of electricity to fuel.”

This shift in calculation — from upfront cost to long-term savings — is gradually changing how consumers approach vehicle ownership.

While Chinese-made electric cars are becoming more visible on the roads of Addis Ababa, it is Chinese electric motorcycles that are driving much of the early adoption.

Lower purchase costs, ease of use, and the ability to charge at home make them more accessible, particularly for delivery riders, small business owners and urban commuters.

“Electric bikes are more accessible … you can charge it at home easily,” Worku said, pointing to the limited need for public infrastructure compared with electric cars.

This accessibility has allowed two-wheelers to act as an entry point into e-mobility, helping to build consumer confidence in electric transport.

The rapid growth of Ethiopia’s electric mobility market has been supported largely by Chinese manufacturers, whose products dominate both the two-wheeler and passenger vehicle segments.

“They (Chinese manufacturers) are doing their best to give products that are easy for people,” Worku said, noting that some models are being adapted specifically for African markets.

At the higher end of the market, companies such as Guangzhou Automobile Group, or GAC, are also expanding their footprint, offering electric cars designed for both everyday use and premium customers.

“EVs allow users to avoid oil price volatility and rely on clean, affordable domestic electricity,” said Huang Weidong, CEO of GAC Juntu in Ethiopia.

Despite strong momentum, infrastructure remains a key constraint. Charging stations, still limited in number, are beginning to feel the strain of rising demand. In some locations, only a handful of charging units serve dozens of vehicles, leading to waiting times and congestion.

“There are many EVs, but the chargers are few,” Yishak said. The gap highlights the need for faster expansion of charging networks to support continued growth.

Government-backed initiatives are already underway, with plans to roll out thousands of charging stations across the country in the coming years, alongside policies aimed at accelerating the transition, including restrictions on imports of petrol and diesel vehicles.

Shifting perceptions

Beyond infrastructure, shifting perceptions are also shaping adoption. Some consumers remain cautious, influenced by past experiences with unreliable electric products or limited after-sales support. However, firsthand experience is gradually changing attitudes.

“When I tried it myself, I saw how far electric mobility has come,” Worku said. With more than 100,000 electric vehicles already on Ethiopian roads and ambitious national targets in place, the transition is gaining pace.

For operators like Yishak, the transformation is visible every day — not in policy documents, but in the growing number of vehicles arriving to charge. The lines may be longer, but they tell a story of change.

In Addis Ababa, the shift from fuel queues to charging lines is no longer a future prospect — it is already underway.

The shift has been reinforced by policy measures aimed at reducing reliance on imported fuel. In 2024, Ethiopia banned the import of fossil fuel-powered vehicles for personal use while lowering taxes on electric vehicles, a move that has accelerated adoption.

The country, which has abundant renewable energy resources including hydropower, wind, solar and geothermal energy, is positioning electric mobility as part of a broader strategy to ease pressure on fuel imports.

In March, the Ethiopian Petroleum and Energy Authority also urged citizens to conserve fuel and adopt alternative energy solutions in response to global oil price shocks linked to the conflict in the Middle East.

According to Ethiopia’s E-Mobility Strategy and Implementation Plan for 2025-2030, over 60 percent of new vehicle registrations in Ethiopia in 2024 were electric vehicles. EV registrations jumped from 7,000 in 2022 to 115,000 last year.