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Electric

Ethiopia EV Sales Surge as Internal Combustion Import Ban Drives Market Shift

Feb 20, 2026
Ethiopia EV Sales Surge as Internal Combustion Import Ban Drives Market Shift


  • EVs exceeded 60 % of new car sales in Ethiopia in 2024, ranking among top global shares. 

  • Ethiopia now has ~115,000 electric vehicles on the road of ~1.5 million total fleet. 

  • Government banned imports of fossil-fuel private cars in January 2024

  • EV tariffs cut to 15 % for complete, 5 % for parts, zero for CKD kits. 

  • Local EV assembly underway; 9 firms assemble vehicles from SKD kits

  • China-brand EVs form majority of imports and sales in Ethiopian market. 

  • Ethiopia aims for 500,000 EVs by 2030 under national transition targets. 


Chart source: X -  @AssaadRazzouk

Ethiopia’s automotive market is being reshaped by a fuel-vehicle policy pivot that has accelerated EV adoption, reduced reliance on imported petrol/diesel cars, and spurred duty-driven cost advantages for imported EVs and locally assembled units.