The Ministry of Green Economy and Environment has unveiled its first Electric Vehicle, marking a major step in Zambia’s transition, towards a sustainable and low emission economy.
Speaking during the Inaugural Chief Executives Forum for the Electric Vehicle Ambassador Zambia Initiative, Minister of Green Economy and Environment Mike Mposha, said the event marks not only the unveiling of an electric vehicle but also a new investment narrative for Zambia.
He says under the visionary leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema, the government is repositioning the country as a regional climate investment hub, driven by clean technology, renewable energy and sustainable finance.
Mr Mposha explained that Zambia has adopted a whole-of-government approach to green mobility anchored in the Eighth National Development Plan, Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and the Green Growth Strategy, supported by clear fiscal industrial incentives.
He added that the government has removed all import duties except VAT on imported electric vehicles, while VAT has been waived for locally produced units.
He further revealed that the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has developed licensing standards for electric vehicle charging stations, in order to ensure safety and regulatory clarity.
Mr Mposha has also emphasised that banking, insurance and pension industries need to develop green asset financing, EV leasing models and climate credit lines, noting that the “future of finance is green.
He also reaffirmed Zambia’s readiness to partner with development partners and international financiers to mobilize resources from facilities such as the Green Climate Fund and Climate Investment Funds to de-risk early stage electric vehicle investments and expand charging infrastructure.
“E-mobility is a triple dividend that drives economic growth, reduces carbon emissions and promotes social inclusion through cleaner cities and green jobs,” he said.
Furthermore, the Minister noted that the government sees electric mobility not as a cost but as a modernization strategy aligned with President Hichilema’s vision of transforming Zambia into a green industrial economy by 2030.
“As we unveil this electric vehicle today, we are not only unveiling a car we are unveiling a vision,” he said.
He explained that a vision of Zambia as Africa’s green investment frontier, where policy meets innovation and public-private partnerships deliver prosperity and sustainability.”
And Secretary to the Cabinet Patrick Kangwa says the launch demonstrates the government’s resolve to embed sustainability and innovation at the heart of national development.
He described electric mobility as more than a technological advancement, noting that it symbolizes Zambia’s broader economic transformation anchored in industrialisation and green growth.
“Our challenge is no longer policy design, but policy delivery,” he said.
Mr Kangwa also called on the private sector to invest in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, assembly plants and battery recycling.
He also urged stakeholders to collaborate through technology transfer and blended finance, in order to drive scalable green investments.
And Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment Douty Chibamba said the procurement of the electric vehicles is not just a compliance measure but a practical demonstration of government’s commitment to implementing the Green Economy Agenda through evidence-based action.
Dr Chibamba has also disclosed that a pilot study conducted by the ministry shows that an electric vehicle can travel from Lusaka to Kitwe (357 km) on a single full charge costing only K200, compared to K1, 500 to K2,000 in fuel for a petrol-powered vehicle of similar size.
He has explained that electric vehicles run entirely on renewable energy, adding that the ministry has also installed a solar-powered charging station, which demonstrates Zambia’s ability to harness solar and hydro resources while easing pressure on the nation.
He has also highlighted that Zambia’s transition to e-mobility is guided by standards, infrastructure and policy coherence, noting that the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has developed technical and safety standards for charging stations, while the Electric Mobility Policy and Strategic Framework is nearing completion under the Ministry of Transport and Logistics.
He emphasised that the initiative is aligned with Zambia’s Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP), the Green Growth Strategy and the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), which targets a 47 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
He has since urged collaboration among regulators, businesses and development partners to make Zambia’s e-mobility story a model for Africa, one that is technically sound, economically competitive and environmentally transformative.
Zed, the real Africa. #HH
What kind of reporting is the LT ….?????
Is that vehicle made in Zambia or imported ????
FWD2041
Kwena mwebantu, monga ni tik tok story. No five Ws and an H.
Ati bozaaa!
“under the visionary leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema, the government is repositioning the country as a regional climate investment hub, driven by clean technology, renewable energy and sustainable finance”
Really? How does a President whose frequent jet flights mean his carbon footprint is bigger than all the mining industry on the copperbelt promote clean technology?
Private jets like Zambia One emit significantly more carbon dioxide per passenger than commercial flights. Estimates range from 5 to 14 times more polluting per passenger.
A private jet can emit up to 20 times more CO2 per passenger than a commercial airliner, largely due to the low passenger count relative to fuel consumed.
Hichilema’s jet emissions could range from 90 kg CO2 per passenger per hour to 250 kg CO2 equivalent per passenger per hour, considering radiative forcing.
Perhaps my reading comprehension is garbage. Is the name of the vehicle Emobility? Where is it made? Who owns the company?
Someone to help me understand.
Only Hamasaka would help
It’s a Chinese car: GAC Aion-Y. The logo on the front is clearly GAC, and the striped headlights are very distinctive for this model.
See https://www.gacgroup.com/en-eu/suv/aion-y
This is a Chinese Electric Vehicle and it carries a symbol called BYD (Build Your Dreams) at the back.I ve seen a lot of these cars in Addis Ababa and in Europe.
This heading is very misleading, please correct it with an apology. Zambia has in the last 2 years imported over 900 Electric Vehicles.
Kabayo where are these 900 vehicles charged?
I was just about to mention that
Plus a fried cant gfind anyone to repair it
Electric cars with load shedding?
How do you charge when there is no power?
Ever heard of the American dream? “Where we can travel girl without any means”
Solar my friend. Even here in Northern Europe where we hardly get any amount of decent sunlight I’m able to charge my car from the solar panels on my own house. Zambia has an almost infinite potential for solar power!
Nuclear power before these pipe dreams please.
Nuclear power ?? you must be crazy We cant run thermal or hydro
Even hiding the badge with a ribbon so we can promote some fantasy that it’s made in Zambia by the said Ministry? What make of galimoto is it pliz
Badge is clearly visible, it’s from the Chinese car manufacturer GAC. See https://www.gacgroup.com/en-eu/suv/aion-y
90% of the components coming from china and just assembled here then you say made in zambia. And that electric charge will last you from lusaka to kitwe if you can make it in the normal time of 4 hours not when you are still stuck at 10 miles or kapiri for 4 hours then your battery power runs out.
This was just an imported car. Nowhere did this article announce the opening of a car factory or assembly line.
On the upside, electric cars are much better than petrol cars in stop-start traffic as they recover braking energy into the battery
Nikagula motoka nikagula motoka nikokwezeka asikana monga aima apa
Comment:please let’s read and understand,nowhere it has been said made in zambia,if it was made in zambia,why import and exempt certain taxes and leaving VAT only,that’s just an official launch,so you can start import EVs officially.
This is laughable! 7 years ago another company, Amilak Investments launched electric vehicles in Zambia and we saw them being driven around Lusaka until (from what we heard) PF cadres blocked the sales because they did not get a cut. What exactly is being launched here?
https://www.lusakatimes.com/2018/12/15/amilak-investment-launches-electric-utility-vehicles-on-the-zambian-market/
Terrible reporting. Simply state why somebody has imported this Chinese car and why is it news.
With an unreliable electricity supply, how practical is it to talk of electric vehicles being the way forward ? Imagine trying to get to Mongu or Lukulu with an electric vehicle – farcical really.