The market for electric vehicles (EVs) in Zimbabwe is set to grow, Edward Muchuchuti, the general manager of BYD Zimbabwe, a Zimbabwean subsidiary of Chinese high-tech company BYD, said, noting that this growth is being driven by government support, such as the removal of import duties and policies that promote renewable energy.
Although the adoption of EVs in Zimbabwe lags behind other regional countries, Muchuchuti sees progress due to strong political will.
Despite this optimism, there are significant challenges to overcome. Muchuchuti identified education, financial constraints, and infrastructure as key hurdles. He highlighted Africa's generally slow technology adoption, the high upfront cost of EVs combined with limited access to capital, and the lack of charging stations, especially in rural areas.
To address affordability concerns, Muchuchuti advocated for policy changes, including a zero-duty component on EVs, mirroring policies in South Africa and Zambia. He emphasized the economic benefits of electric buses, citing potential fuel cost savings of over 85% for companies with large fleets.