(Hello Africa) EVs take off in Zimbabwe with Chinese models

As the global automotive industry shifts toward green energy, electric vehicles (EVs) are slowly taking off in Zimbabwe, a market long dominated by traditional internal combustion engines.

HARARE, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- As the global automotive industry shifts toward green energy, electric vehicles (EVs) are slowly taking off in Zimbabwe, a market long dominated by traditional internal combustion engines.

Laying the groundwork for this eco-friendly transition is BYD, a leading Chinese manufacturer of new energy vehicles.

Driven by government incentives and a growing environmental awareness, EVs are steadily gaining traction across the country, said Clayton Chimudima, general manager of BYD Zimbabwe.

"So far, the reception has been fantastic," Chimudima told Xinhua in a recent interview at BYD Zimbabwe's showroom in the capital city of Harare.

"We always say our market is usually skeptical, but for our models, we have not been having any challenges with our clients," he added.

DRIVING THE GREEN TRANSITION

To further accelerate the transition from fossil fuel dependence to zero-emission mobility, the Zimbabwean government has reduced the import duty on fully electric vehicles from 40 percent to 25 percent, Chimudima noted.

"The government has also been helpful in the sense that they have been allowing solar products to come in duty-free, which actually helps us," he said.

BYD Zimbabwe recently launched a new lineup of electric vehicles, further tapping into the local market and accelerating the country's green energy transition.

Chimudima said the company is building consumer confidence by moving beyond initial vehicle sales to providing comprehensive maintenance and support in the local market.

"We are employing what we call the 3S model," he explained. "This is to say, we have got the vehicle sales. Secondly, we have got the servicing of the vehicles. Thirdly, we have got the spares."

Roxanne Muunganirwa Chiduku, a sales consultant for BYD Zimbabwe, said the local market is responding positively to new energy vehicles.

Interest in EVs is primarily driven by a combination of affordability, environmental protection, and the modern design and technologies featured in the new models, she noted.

"As BYD, we are contributing toward that, considering that our vehicles are not polluting the air in any way," Chiduku said. "There is no fuel that is being used with our 100 percent electric vehicles."

UPSKILLING FOR THE FUTURE

While preference for internal combustion engines remains strong in Zimbabwe, interest in EVs is rising as local consumers seek vehicles powered by cutting-edge technologies.

Recognizing that a lack of supporting infrastructure impedes widespread EV adoption, Zimbabwe is boosting its capabilities by introducing a duty rebate for equipment used in building solar-powered EV charging stations.

This move aims to speed up the deployment of charging facilities across the country.

While notable strides have been made to encourage EV adoption, many motor mechanics in Zimbabwe say they currently lack the specialized training and equipment required for a smooth transition.

Farirai Majaya, an auto technician from Harare, said some traditional mechanics feel reluctant to learn new systems because EVs are not yet ubiquitous in Zimbabwe.

However, he noted that ignoring the green transition means resisting the inevitable future, as the shift to electric mobility has already taken off globally.

"We need to upgrade ourselves," Majaya said. "Those professional people who are already in the industry, they need to upgrade their skills."

"And those who are in training right now, I think there should be an introduction to training for electric vehicles, so that we will be in line with others," he added. "We cannot say we don't want electric vehicles because we will be rejecting the future." ■