Editorial | Sep 11,2020
Feb 13 , 2024
By Mikael Alemu
Sitting in Khaldi's Coffee on Airport Road, onlookers can witness an emerging trend of streets scuttling with more electric vehicles (EVs) than one might have encountered in a European city a decade ago. The scene is a story of the rapid development of economies and societies, with Ethiopia embracing electric transportation at an impressive pace.
Countries around the world are increasingly adopting electric vehicles to address climate change and reduce pollution. Western nations, in particular, have set ambitious targets to phase out new internal combustion engine vehicle sales in the coming decades. Norway and the Netherlands, for instance, aim to ban new ICE car sales starting in 2025, while the United Kingdom (UK) plans to allow only electric car sales from 2030, later adjusting this target to 2035.
The European Union has its sights set on an "electric cars only" policy by 2035, and California has outlined targets for zero emissions vehicles (ZEVs) reaching 35pc by 2026 and 100pc by the year 2035.
These commitments reflect the countries' strong economic positions, with GDP per capita figures significantly higher. Norway boasts a GDP per capita (PPP) of 87,495 dollars, and California, if considered independently, would rank at around 80,870 dollars. They also benefit from stringent environmental protections and clean air policies. In contrast, Ethiopia's economic reality paints a different picture. With a GDP per capita (PPP) of 2,922 dollars in 2021, its income and consumption levels are less than five percent of those in the countries mentioned here.
The major sources of air pollution in our cities include wood burning for cooking and emissions from trucks and buses rather than passenger cars.
Given these disparities, Ethiopia's strategy for electric vehicle policy should initially focus on segments that are currently viable, such as urban rickshaws, while gradually building the infrastructure and incentives necessary for the wider adoption of electric passenger vehicles. This approach should align with projected economic growth and the expected increase in GDP per capita to nearly 5,000 dollars by the end of the decade.
Ethiopia's electricity generation capacity, currently at 5,000MW for a population of over 100 million, sharply contrasts with that of countries like the United States, which has 1.3 million megawatts, and the Netherlands, which has 475,000MW. This calls for realistic short-term priorities, with a focus on electrifying three-wheelers, or "bajajes," which are a popular form of urban transportation and contribute significantly to air pollution. The transition to electric bajajs, supported by a network of solar-powered charging stations, could serve as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution.
The initiative, coupled with the promotion of electric passenger cars in major cities like Addis Abeba, could be further facilitated through creative financing programs, tax incentives, and the development of public charging infrastructure.
Ethiopia could aim to launch an "Electric Transport Strategy" by 2035, with firm targets set for 2045, including the ban on new gasoline-powered auto rickshaws and small passenger cars in cities. Supporting policies would need to encompass tax credits, import duty exemptions, low-interest loans, and utility programs to make electric vehicles more accessible and affordable. Designating "EV zones" in city centres and ramping up renewable energy capacity are additional measures that would complement Ethiopia's adoption of electric transport.
By leapfrogging directly to electric vehicles, Ethiopia can position itself as a leader in sustainable transportation, driving innovation, enhancing energy independence, and contributing to a cleaner, healthier environment. In 25 years, the hope is that the same Kaldi’s Coffee on Bole Road will overlook a landscape where electric vehicles dominate the streets, marking a significant leap forward in Ethiopia's journey towards sustainable development and climate leadership.
PUBLISHED ON
Feb 13,2024 [ VOL
24 , NO
1241]
Editorial | Sep 11,2020
Agenda | Jan 12,2019
Commentaries | Feb 13,2021
View From Arada | Jul 17,2022
View From Arada | Apr 03,2021
Radar | Dec 28,2019
Fortune News | Apr 28,2024
Agenda | Jan 13,2024
Editorial | Aug 26,2023
Photo Gallery | 98326 Views | May 06,2019
Photo Gallery | 90558 Views | Apr 26,2019
My Opinion | 71221 Views | Aug 14,2021
My Opinion | 67505 Views | Aug 21,2021
Commentaries | May 11,2024
Editorial | May 11,2024
Feb 24 , 2024 . By MUNIR SHEMSU
Abel Yeshitila, a real estate developer with a 12-year track record, finds himself unable to sell homes in his latest venture. Despite slash...
Feb 10 , 2024 . By MUNIR SHEMSU
In his last week's address to Parliament, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) painted a picture of an economy...
Jan 7 , 2024
In the realm of international finance and diplomacy, few cities hold the distinction that Addis Abeba doe...
Sep 30 , 2023 . By AKSAH ITALO
On a chilly morning outside Ke'Geberew Market, Yeshi Chane, a 35-year-old mother cradling her seven-month-old baby, stands amidst the throng...
May 11 , 2024
The ruling Prosperity Party - the Prosperitians - has its leaders turned to the Publi...
May 2 , 2024
For successive generations of Ethiopia's tax authorities, the chore of tax collection...
Apr 27 , 2024
The Prosperity Party (PP) - Prosperitians - is charting a course through treacherous...
Apr 20 , 2024
In a departure from its traditionally opaque practices, the National Bank of Ethiopia...
May 11 , 2024 . By BERSABEH GEBRE
Additional corridor-development plans embrace more weredas Officials of the Ad...
May 11 , 2024 . By BERSABEH GEBRE
Ethiopia's parliament established an 18-member think tank focused on addressing the construction industry woes. Under the leadership of...
Manufacturers of biscuits, noodles, and animal feed are sounding the alarm, urging policymakers to interv...
May 11 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Ethiopia is contested to fully embrace the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) due to slow progr...