Tajikistan is boosting imports of electric vehicles and planning domestic production together with Chinese partners, the Tajik Transport Ministry said.

“According to the government’s Customs Service, Tajikistan imported 3,316 electric vehicles worth $59 million in 2023. As many as 5,266 electric vehicles worth $76.4 million were exported in the first half of this year, which is 26.7% of the total number of imported vehicles (over 19,700),” the ministry said.

In October 2022, the government approved the Program of Electric Transport Development in the Republic of Tajikistan for 2023-2028, which was drafted by the Transport Ministry and envisaged laying the groundwork for production of electric vehicles and their parts, building infrastructure for power supply and electric vehicle service, and developing a battery scrapping technology.

“Additionally, Tajikistan plans to begin production of electric vehicles together with Chinese companies,” the press release said.

It is planned to give additional benefits and preferences to electric vehicle drivers and to elaborate a package of measures to encourage electric transport development, including the issuance of green license plates for higher awareness of vehicles with zero emission.

The program costs 228.916 somoni. The budget will assign 1.39 million somoni, in addition to 6.156 million somoni provided by development partners, and 221.37 million somoni provided by the private sector.

“Tajikistan is one of CIS members generating eco-friendly, cheap electricity. Therefore, using electric vehicles in this country is relevant and effective from every angle, especially at a time when fuel prices are rising,” the press release quoted Transport Minister Azim Ibrohim as saying.

The official exchange rate for August 15 is 10.6 somoni/$1.