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Tajikistan. Will electric cars replace conventional vehicles?
On January 10, 2022, electric cabs began to circulate on the streets of Dushanbe.
Photo: www.pexels.com
Photo: www.pexels.com
In December 2021, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon proposed to completely waive taxes and customs duties on imports of electric vehicles-electric cars, electric buses, trolleybuses, etc.
He instructed the government to take measures to provide infrastructure and other necessary conditions for the use of such vehicles in the country.
Against the backdrop of high fuel prices in Tajikistan, electric cars could be a good alternative for the population and the environment.
He instructed the government to take measures to provide infrastructure and other necessary conditions for the use of such vehicles in the country.
Against the backdrop of high fuel prices in Tajikistan, electric cars could be a good alternative for the population and the environment.
Tajikistan began producing electric buses and electric trolleybuses in 2021 and conducted tests in December.
According to Asror Mirzoev, director of the company that produces them, the electric bus and electric trolleybus can cover up to 200 kilometers distance on electricity.
"As a result of tests of this vehicle, it was found that 176 kWh of electricity was consumed from the battery during the 100-kilometer trip along the city route, at a cost of 74 somoni 10 dirams (about $6.55)," Mirzoev said in an interview with the Khovar news agency.
According to Asror Mirzoev, director of the company that produces them, the electric bus and electric trolleybus can cover up to 200 kilometers distance on electricity.
"As a result of tests of this vehicle, it was found that 176 kWh of electricity was consumed from the battery during the 100-kilometer trip along the city route, at a cost of 74 somoni 10 dirams (about $6.55)," Mirzoev said in an interview with the Khovar news agency.
Is Tajikistan ready for electric cars?
According to the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan, the country has huge reserves of energy resources, the first place is occupied by hydropower resources with a capacity of 527 billion kWh. According to this parameter, Tajikistan ranks eighth in the world in terms of hydropower potential relative to its area. 95% of the country's electricity is generated by hydroelectric power plants, including 94% at large and medium-sized HPPs.
The Ministry of Energy reports that from 2015 to 2020, the total capacity of power plants increased from 1,100 to 6,000 MW. It is expected to reach 10,000 MW by 2030.
Tajikistan's average annual electricity output, which is mainly generated by hydropower plants, is 17 billion kWh. Tajikistan's energy capacity is 5757 MW, of which 87.5% is hydropower. The share of CHP is only 718 MW, i.e. 12.4%.
Photo: amp.topcor.ru
The Ministry of Energy reports that from 2015 to 2020, the total capacity of power plants increased from 1,100 to 6,000 MW. It is expected to reach 10,000 MW by 2030.
Tajikistan's average annual electricity output, which is mainly generated by hydropower plants, is 17 billion kWh. Tajikistan's energy capacity is 5757 MW, of which 87.5% is hydropower. The share of CHP is only 718 MW, i.e. 12.4%.
Photo: amp.topcor.ru
Who imports electric cars to Tajikistan and for what price?
Abdullo Farrukhov (name changed) is one of the few Tajik residents who has been using a Tesla electric car for nearly four years. His acquaintances, who import cars to Tajikistan, have imported about 10 electric cars to Tajikistan over the past four years for their own needs. In a conversation with CABAR.asia, he talked about the negative and positive aspects of the electric vehicle.
"The price of the cars they imported ranged from $20,000 to $30,000, and the electricity consumption depends on the speed of the vehicle. Electric cars are typical in the city because of low landings and have rarely been used on regional roads," Abdullo said.
"The price of the cars they imported ranged from $20,000 to $30,000, and the electricity consumption depends on the speed of the vehicle. Electric cars are typical in the city because of low landings and have rarely been used on regional roads," Abdullo said.
Environmental benefits
In Tajikistan, where mostly old foreign cars are in operation, they say their emissions are one of the main sources of air pollution. According to experts, gradually filling the country with electric cars could reduce air pollution.
"It takes 15 to 17 liters of oxygen to burn one liter of gasoline. So just 1 liter of gasoline reduces the concentration of oxygen in the atmosphere and harms many people. When the body doesn't get enough oxygen, it doesn't grow," says Farrukhov.
According to him, in addition to burning oxygen, emissions from cars into the environment pollute the air, which becomes even more harmful.
Tajiks who already own an electric car say their use is inexpensive, safe and environmentally friendly.
"It takes 15 to 17 liters of oxygen to burn one liter of gasoline. So just 1 liter of gasoline reduces the concentration of oxygen in the atmosphere and harms many people. When the body doesn't get enough oxygen, it doesn't grow," says Farrukhov.
According to him, in addition to burning oxygen, emissions from cars into the environment pollute the air, which becomes even more harmful.
Tajiks who already own an electric car say their use is inexpensive, safe and environmentally friendly.
Tajiks who already own an electric car say their use is inexpensive, safe and environmentally friendly.
Photo: atomic-energy.ru
Photo: atomic-energy.ru
Myths about electric cars
Economic columnist Nur Safarov believes that the main disadvantage of an electric car is its cost. A new electric car, for example, costs from $20,000 to $50,000 in Russia, while the cost of an old one starts at $6,000.
Abdullo Farrukhov explained that the main reason for the high cost of electric cars is their low production. He believes that in the future, as production and sales of this type of car will increase, the price will fall.
"Most gasoline-powered cars cost the same as an electric car, $25,000 to $30,000. For example, the Opel, which is widely used by our people today, has the same price at the factory. Those cars that are sold cheaply in Tajikistan come in used and outdated. With the expenses we spend annually on fuel-powered cars, we can easily buy an electric car," the CABAR.asia interlocutor said.
According to Nur Safarov, another problem with electric cars is charging the battery of an electric car - compared to filling the tank of a regular car, they take 40 minutes to an hour to charge.
Abdullo Farrukhov explained that the main reason for the high cost of electric cars is their low production. He believes that in the future, as production and sales of this type of car will increase, the price will fall.
"Most gasoline-powered cars cost the same as an electric car, $25,000 to $30,000. For example, the Opel, which is widely used by our people today, has the same price at the factory. Those cars that are sold cheaply in Tajikistan come in used and outdated. With the expenses we spend annually on fuel-powered cars, we can easily buy an electric car," the CABAR.asia interlocutor said.
According to Nur Safarov, another problem with electric cars is charging the battery of an electric car - compared to filling the tank of a regular car, they take 40 minutes to an hour to charge.
photo: www.ridus.ru
However, Farrukhov considers this problem manageable and says there is no need to charge it every hour and the car can travel 240 km on one full charge.
"You can even create a number of jobs by installing charging stations. We visit dozens of places every day. In a few minutes, while we visit shopping malls or other places, the car can be charged. It is also possible to install such devices at stops near businesses," he explained.
He also said that on highways and inside the city, it will be possible to install the power supply device in special places for people to use them.
Our interlocutor added that an electric car with 380 volts can be charged in 40 minutes and with 220 volts in 5-6 hours and the cost is low. According to him, only time is needed to repair and upgrade the old infrastructure of the industry.
According to Farrukhov, the only problem with electric cars is the lack of spare parts and the lack of service centers and specialists.
"You can even create a number of jobs by installing charging stations. We visit dozens of places every day. In a few minutes, while we visit shopping malls or other places, the car can be charged. It is also possible to install such devices at stops near businesses," he explained.
He also said that on highways and inside the city, it will be possible to install the power supply device in special places for people to use them.
Our interlocutor added that an electric car with 380 volts can be charged in 40 minutes and with 220 volts in 5-6 hours and the cost is low. According to him, only time is needed to repair and upgrade the old infrastructure of the industry.
According to Farrukhov, the only problem with electric cars is the lack of spare parts and the lack of service centers and specialists.
Expert: Shift to electric vehicles is advantageous
Nur Safarov said Tajikistan is one of the top 10 "green" hydroelectric-powered countries, and it is an opportunity to use cars that run on electricity. However, there are problems, he said. He said significant funds are needed for gas station infrastructure across the country, as well as for setting up a system for recycling used batteries.
Also, Nur Safarov believes that it is necessary to reduce the price of electric cars, which is now "unaffordable" for the average car owner in Tajikistan.
"In our country the state segment is occupied by cars costing 30-50 thousand somoni (3 - 4.5 thousand USD), while, for example, Tesla electric cars costing 30-70 thousand USD are still the market of rich countries. Of course, you can buy electric cars from China at low prices, but this is a question of quality," Safarov said.
In his opinion, the transition to electric cars has prospects. But to make a decision it is necessary to conduct economic calculations to prove that such a transition is beneficial to the country, the economist concluded.
Also, Nur Safarov believes that it is necessary to reduce the price of electric cars, which is now "unaffordable" for the average car owner in Tajikistan.
"In our country the state segment is occupied by cars costing 30-50 thousand somoni (3 - 4.5 thousand USD), while, for example, Tesla electric cars costing 30-70 thousand USD are still the market of rich countries. Of course, you can buy electric cars from China at low prices, but this is a question of quality," Safarov said.
In his opinion, the transition to electric cars has prospects. But to make a decision it is necessary to conduct economic calculations to prove that such a transition is beneficial to the country, the economist concluded.
This material was prepared within the framework of the IWPR project "Amplify, Verify, Engage: Information for Democratisation and Good Governance in Eurasia", funded by the Norwegian Foreign Ministry, and the mentoring program of the "Development of New Media and Digital Journalism in Central Asia" project, implemented by the Institute for War Reporting and Peace (IWPR) with the support of the UK Government. The content of this publication does not reflect the official views of IWPR, the Norwegian Foreign Office, or the UK Government.
