Ethiopia goes electric following gas car ban
Key takeaways
- Key to the shift: a world-first ban on importing fossil fuel-powered vehicles.
- "These electric buses are very different from the gasoline ones," she said, taking a quick glance at the cars overtaking to her left.
- The clean, quiet buses have also been a hit with many of the 90,000 passengers who depend on the new rapid transit line for their daily commute, like Zeraye Tekelu.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
Electric vehicles have taken off in Ethiopia. Key to the shift: a world-first ban on importing fossil fuel-powered vehicles.
https://p.dw.com/p/5EYJCIn a bid to promote 'green development' and save on fuel costs, Ethiopia is boosting electric vehicles and public transport Image: Brian Inganga/AP Photo/picture alliance Advertisement Shashe Asemare handles the large steering wheel with ease, navigating the mint-green city bus through the notoriously congested streets of Addis Ababa. Ever since the Ethiopian capital introduced 100 new electric buses to its fleet in 2025, she's noticed the benefits.
"These electric buses are very different from the gasoline ones," she said, taking a quick glance at the cars overtaking to her left. "They don't emit exhaust fumes or make that annoying noise."