Electric Vehicle Charging Rules Take Shape

May 18 , 2024


  A bill proposing technical standards, licensing requirements, and safety measures for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations was up for public consultation two weeks ago. The proposed regulations aim to set standards for the quality of energy supply and safety of charging stations, accelerating the implementation of EV-specific legislation. Seharla Abdulahi, director general of the Petroleum & Energy Authority, said as the number of EVs on the roads increases establishing regulations becomes paramount. Representatives from the gas station industry called for tax breaks and subsidies to incentivise investment in charging station development. According to Ahmed Seid, deputy director, the potential for existing gas stations to incorporate electric charging options, eliminating the need for new land acquisition. He cited successful examples from developed countries where gas stations offer both gasoline and electric fueling options. This public consultation comes after the recent federal government ban on importing internal combustion engine vehicles for personal use, a move aimed at transitioning the nation towards a greener economy. EV imports have nearly doubled in the past three years, with a record 72 million dollars worth entering the country in 2023, coinciding with a progressive decrease in customs tariffs.


Radar

Tech Ministry Falters as Audits Expose Mismanagement, Unmet Ambitions

The Ministry of Innovation & Technology is under scrutiny after an audit revealed lapses in project management and financial oversight. This raised questions about governance standards within a Ministry central to the country's tech-driven growth ambitions. According to the Federal Auditor General, the Ministry has completed only 11pc of its planned projects with its overall financial administration standing at 37.4pc for a year-long project that commenced in 2022. Budget mismanagement an...


Radar

Central Bank Keeps Lending Lid Tight as Inflation Squeezes Economy

The Central Bank has reaffirmed its decision to maintain an 18pc cap on credit growth, reinforcing a commitment to tighter monetary policy during persistent inflation and economic uncertainty. The National Bank of Ethiopia's (NBE) monetary policy committee cited ongoing concerns over inflation, which stood at 19.9pc year-on-year (YoY), and liquidity imbalances as reasons to uphold the restriction on lending. Bankers and analysts interpret this move as evidence of regulators' determination to...


Radar

Ethio Telecom Expands Services with DStv Streaming

Ethio telecom enters the entertainment pool with bundled DStv streaming services through high-speed broadband internet and mobile data packages. The partnership with MultiChoice Ethiopia aspires to merge the telecom's fiber broadband and mobile network with DStv's content. Subscribers can access DStv channels through mobile data or fiber broadband bundles, with discounts of up to 35pc through Telebirr or My Ethiotel (*999#) and up to 26.5pc at sales centers for fiber broadband bundles. Acc...