APA – Kigali (Rwanda) – Rwanda has removed import taxes on electric vehicles, as well as vehicles that use both electricity and petroleum (hybrid) products, including electric motorcycles, to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles and contribute to a cleaner and greener future, according to the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Uzziel Ndagijimana.
“In order to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles and mitigate emissions associated with petroleum-based transportation, imported electric cars, hybrid cars and even imported electric motorcycles will be exempt from customs duties,” the minister was quoted Friday by local media during the presentation of the 2023-2024 budget to the Rwandan Parliament early Thursday.
According to the senior Rwandan government official, this incentive is part of the government’s new measures to encourage the use of electric vehicles and promote sustainable mobility options while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
In 2021, Rwanda launched a pilot project for electric motorcycles in its capital, Kigali, to help the country achieve its goal of becoming a carbon-neutral economy by 2050.
Official estimates indicate that Rwanda’s greenhouse gas emissions from road transport are mainly caused by cars and motorcycles.
According to a 2017 report by the Rwanda Environmental Management Authority (REMA), vehicle emissions are the main contributing factor to poor air quality in Rwandan cities.
CU/abj/APA