GAC Group Launches Electric Vehicle Brand in Ethiopia

GAC Group, a Chinese car manufacturer, has launched its electric vehicle brand in Ethiopia with models AION Y and ES9. The Ethiopian government supports this move, having banned gas-powered vehicles and aiming for 500,000 EVs in the next ten years. GAC Group plans to establish local assembly operations and charging infrastructure to facilitate this transition.

In a significant milestone for Ethiopia’s automotive landscape, Chinese car manufacturer, Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd (GAC Group), has launched its electric vehicle (EV) brand in the country. The introduction of two EV models, the AION Y and ES9, occurred during a launch event held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, on Saturday.

During the unveiling, Zeleke Temesgen, the commissioner of the Ethiopian Investment Commission, discussed the Ethiopian government’s decisive steps toward promoting electric mobility. He pointed out that several proactive policies have been implemented, including a ban on the production, import, and assembly of gasoline-powered vehicles. This positions Ethiopia as an attractive market for reputable companies like GAC Group.

Commissioner Temesgen highlighted the need for GAC Group to establish a manufacturing plant in the country, emphasizing the potential benefits of leveraging favorable investment conditions and the vast market. He reiterated the government’s commitment to facilitating Ethiopia’s transition toward greener mobility solutions.

Bareo Hassen, Ethiopia’s state minister of transport and logistics, echoed this sentiment, expressing the government’s ambition to achieve green mobility swiftly to conserve energy and bolster the national economy. The country already has over 100,000 electric vehicles on its roads and aims to expand this number to 500,000 within the next decade, significantly reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

To support this transition, Ethiopia is actively working on increasing electric vehicle production and installing public charging stations. Additionally, the Ministry of Transport and Logistics is providing incentives for private investors, including the availability of free or leased land tailored for EV after-sales services.

Wei Haigang, president of GAC International, assured that through a partnership with Huajian Group, the company plans to both sell electric vehicles and create necessary charging infrastructure in Ethiopia. Further, he noted that GAC Group is looking to engage in local assembly operations to harness Ethiopia’s emerging EV market and assist in its shift towards electric mobility.

The introduction of GAC Group’s electric vehicles to Ethiopia represents an important step for both the automotive industry in the country and the pursuit of greener transportation solutions. With strong governmental support and a clear vision for future EV production, Ethiopia is poised to become a significant hub for electric mobility in East Africa, striving for a substantial increase in the number of electric vehicles over the coming decade.

Original Source: thepeninsulaqatar.com