tajikistan
Vague Plans
The authorities of Tajikistan strongly support the transition to electric vehicles. However, it is currently unclear how the disposal of out-of-service vehicles will be organized, especially of their battery packs.
Rajahmad Rafiev is driving an electric car for 5 months now. He works as a taxi driver in Dushanbe.
He bought his Chinese-made car for 230,000 somoni (over 21,000 US dollars).
He bought his Chinese-made car for 230,000 somoni (over 21,000 US dollars).
"An electric car is inexpensive to operate and does not harm the environment," says Rajahmad Rafiev.
In Tajikistan, most cars run on relatively expensive imported fuels such as liquefied natural gas and gasoline. Currently, the price of one liter of liquefied gas in Dushanbe is 6.5 somoni (0.60 US dollars), and gasoline costs 10 somoni (0.92 US dollars).
On average, a passenger car consumes 10-11 liters of liquefied gas or gasoline per 100 km. According to Rajahmad Rafiev, an electric car can travel up to 300 km for about 50 somoni (around 5 dollars). During the winter, depending on the use of the car's heater, the range is about 200-220 km.
An electric car can be charged between 40 minutes to an hour, depending on the remaining energy in the battery.
On average, a passenger car consumes 10-11 liters of liquefied gas or gasoline per 100 km. According to Rajahmad Rafiev, an electric car can travel up to 300 km for about 50 somoni (around 5 dollars). During the winter, depending on the use of the car's heater, the range is about 200-220 km.
An electric car can be charged between 40 minutes to an hour, depending on the remaining energy in the battery.
"There are many charging stations in the capital now, so there are no issues regarding this," noted Rafiev.
He mentioned that he hasn't thought about the issue of recycling or disposal of car batteries.
"Most electric cars in Tajikistan are made in China, and I think their battery life is about 5-6 years. Those imported from Japan or other countries have warranties up to 25 years," he pointed out.
He hopes that the leaders of the state transport sector will take safe measures regarding the operation and disposal of electric vehicle batteries.
He hopes that the leaders of the state transport sector will take safe measures regarding the operation and disposal of electric vehicle batteries.
Regarding spare parts and car repair, Rafiev mentioned that workshops for electric car repairs have already emerged. However, since most electric cars are still new and do not require servicing, he and his colleagues are not paying particular attention to this issue.
The number of electric vehicles doubled in a year
According to the Ministry of Transport of Tajikistan, the country imported 1,500 electric vehicles or electric cars in 2023, compared to 767 in 2022.
In the future, Tajikistan plans to increase the number of electric vehicles to 20-30% of the total number of cars. These measures are to be implemented under the "Electric Transport Development Program for 2023-2028."
In the future, Tajikistan plans to increase the number of electric vehicles to 20-30% of the total number of cars. These measures are to be implemented under the "Electric Transport Development Program for 2023-2028."
According to the Ministry of Transport, "this program is aimed at developing electric vehicle servicing technologies, creating new jobs, and reducing Tajikistan's dependence on imported fuel. Additionally, transitioning to electric vehicles will reduce the volume of greenhouse gas emissions, which are predominantly produced by cars."
Dilovar Mamurov, Director of the Association of Renewable Energy Sources of Tajikistan, mentioned that the program includes measures to exempt the import of electric vehicles from taxes and customs duties.
"And this is very good. It leads to a reduction in car prices," said Dilovar Mamurov.
In 2022, Tajikistan amended its Tax Code to exempt the import of electric vehicles from taxes, customs duties, and excise taxes for the next 10 years. Last year, Tajikistan signed an signed an with China to build a factory capable of producing 1,500 electric vehicles per year.
There is also the company "Akia Avesto Automotive Industry" in Tajikistan, which manufactures electric buses.
There is also the company "Akia Avesto Automotive Industry" in Tajikistan, which manufactures electric buses.
What do experts think?
According to Dilovar Mamurov, Director of the Association of Renewable Energy Sources of Tajikistan, electric vehicles are environmentally clean and harmless transportation vehicle.
"The lifespan of batteries is more than 10 years. Calculate how much emissions will decrease over 10 years," said Dilovar Mamurov in an interview with CABAR.asia.
As the expert noted, electric vehicles have catalysts that help reduce emissions. About 90% of passenger cars running on gasoline and diesel do not have such devices.
Mamurov mentioned that there are many types of batteries that each manufacturer uses for their electric vehicles.
"The principle of their operation is the same, they are all lithium-ion, but the difference lies in their lifespan," he explained.
According to the expert, it is incorrect to consider electric vehicles manufactured in China as dangerous.
"90% of car batteries in the world are made in China. This includes batteries for the American car brand Tesla, which are produced by the Chinese company BYD," the expert said.
As Dilovar Mamurov noted, many types of electric vehicles are manufactured in China, and their quality varies greatly depending on the price.
At the same time, the expert found it difficult to answer how the recycling (utilization) of out-of-service electric vehicle batteries should be carried out. According to him, to understand this, one needs to know how batteries are made, but manufacturers will not disclose these details.
At the same time, the expert found it difficult to answer how the recycling (utilization) of out-of-service electric vehicle batteries should be carried out. According to him, to understand this, one needs to know how batteries are made, but manufacturers will not disclose these details.
"The process of manufacturing batteries is a very lengthy technology, and the manufacturer does not disclose it," said Dilovar Mamurov.
An employee of the nature conservation committee, speaking on condition of anonymity to CABAR.asia, mentioned that Tajikistan currently does not have any state programs for the utilization of out-of-service electric vehicle batteries.
"But we are currently studying this issue," said the official.
According to an independent expert who also wished to remain anonymous, recycling batteries and obtaining new products from them is very complex.
"We need to study how batteries can be recycled to be useful," the expert said.
"But we are currently studying this issue," said the official.
According to an independent expert who also wished to remain anonymous, recycling batteries and obtaining new products from them is very complex.
"We need to study how batteries can be recycled to be useful," the expert said.
At the same time, he noted that almost all battery components, including metals, plastics, and cables, can be reused.
"In the world today, cobalt and nickel - metals present in electric vehicle batteries - are used in the production of electric bicycles, street lamps, elevator safety systems, and energy storage systems," the expert stated.
Authors:
Anastasiya Bengard (Kyrgyzstan)
Elina Beknazaroba (Uzbekistan)
CABAR.asia
Elina Beknazaroba (Uzbekistan)
CABAR.asia
Editors:
Natalya Li
Tatiana Trubacheva
Lola Olimova
Gulafshon Sokieva
Marat Mamadshoev
Tatiana Trubacheva
Lola Olimova
Gulafshon Sokieva
Marat Mamadshoev
Illustrations:
Nasiba Karimova
Layout:
Manizha Babakulova
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