Electric vehicles get cheaper in Zimbabwe amid push for green mobility
Zimbabwe wants to promote eco-friendly transportation by slashing import duties on electric vehicles (EVs) by 15%.
Starting January 1, 2025, import duties on EVs will drop from 40% to 25%. The move aims to encourage the adoption of green mobility solutions in the country.
Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube announced the proposal during his presentation of the 2025 national budget in Parliament on Thursday, November 28, 2024.
"Cognisant of the need to promote the use of eco-friendly vehicles, which will result in reduced carbon emissions, I propose to reduce customs duty on electric motor vehicles, with effect from 1 January 2025," Ncube said.
Ncube also proposed duty rebates on equipment used to establish solar-powered EV charging stations. These rebates will apply to equipment imported by approved operators, signalling the government’s commitment to supporting sustainable energy solutions.
The minister underscored the importance of addressing climate change through innovative approaches. "We must leverage our natural resources to combat climate-related challenges effectively," he emphasised.
Zimbabwe’s push for EV adoption aligns with its ambitious goal of achieving 33% market penetration for electric vehicles by 2030. As the largest lithium producer in Africa and ranking fifth globally, Zimbabwe holds significant potential in the production of lithium-ion batteries—the core technology powering EVs.
The country’s vast lithium reserves could position Zimbabwe as a leader in Africa’s green energy transition, bolstering its economy and aligning with the government’s National Development Strategy (NDS1) to achieve upper-middle-income status by 2030.
