Ethiopia is accelerating its transition to electric mobility through a nationwide strategy that combines the expansion of electric vehicles (EVs), cleaner public transport and alternative fuel infrastructure as part of a broader effort to reduce fuel imports and strengthen long-term economic resilience. This is reported by
Fana Media Corporation, a TV BRICS partner.
The government is positioning clean transport as a key pillar of its economic transformation agenda, seeking to lower foreign exchange spending on imported petroleum products while making greater use of domestically generated renewable electricity and natural gas resources.
Electric vehicles are expected to play the leading role in the transition, supported by the country’s expanding renewable electricity generation. Officials believe wider EV adoption will help reduce transport costs, improve air quality and lower greenhouse gas emissions while creating a more sustainable transport system.
Alongside electrification, Ethiopia is also expanding the use of compressed and liquefied natural gas (CNG and LNG) as a transitional transport fuel. New refuelling infrastructure is being introduced to support public transport fleets and freight vehicles while electric charging networks continue to grow.
As part of the programme, more than 1,200 diesel-powered city buses operating in Addis Ababa are being converted to compressed natural gas, marking one of the country’s largest public transport modernisation initiatives. Additional natural gas refuelling facilities are also planned for other major cities to support the expanding network.
The government is simultaneously increasing investment in EV charging infrastructure nationwide, describing widespread access to charging stations as essential for accelerating electric vehicle adoption. Authorities have also introduced policy measures aimed at encouraging investment in clean transport infrastructure and facilitating the transition to low-emission mobility.