In the past 5 months, more than 80 electric vehicles (EVs) have been registered with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport. According to Minister of Public Works Sun Chanthol, the number of electric vehicles registered by consumers has increased by more than 800 percent compared to the same period in 2021.

EV charging station in Cambodia (Image from Nikkei)

Mr. Sun Chanthol confirmed that from January to May 2022, 84 electric vehicles were registered for use. The figure is up to 800 percent from 20 electric vehicles by 2021 and he met with representatives of the Cambodia Automotive Industry Federation (CAIF) to discuss policies for the promotion of the use of electric cars in the country. He continued to advise the Federation to work closely with relevant officials under the Ministry to address the issues raised by the Federation to encourage the widespread use of electric vehicles.

This growth is a trend that makes our citizens interested in using electric cars those kinds of cars will help also have good health and environmental benefits through reduced air pollution which would result in public health benefits. Moreover, the operating cost of an EV over one kilometer is almost half that of a traditional internal combustion engine vehicle.

Therefore a good reason, the Government of Cambodia has included EVs in the country’s national transport policy–with a focus on cities. With rapid urbanization, cities offer the perfect environment for EVs: paved roads, dependable sources of electricity, and increasingly available charging stations. He has motivated the citizens to use electric cars as well to help reduce pollution in Cambodia and the world as well.

And The Minister of Public Works and Transport said this at the MPWT LIVE SHOW on the morning of May 27, so far a total of 148 electric vehicles have been registered in Cambodia that's more noticeable than one year past.

According to noticeable, Mr. Sun Chanthol said that the users of this electric car not only help clean or protect against climate change and reduce pollution by fuel but also save more money and make economic growth neither.

The state has reduced the tax rate to 63 percent, while the import of fuel-efficient cars has been reduced to 120 percent. In addition, consumers will benefit from the cost of electricity, which can be three times cheaper than using a petrol car. At the same time, the cost of equipment or components for electric cars is less than that of fuel-efficient cars. This is providing an incentive for people to shift toward electric vehicles.

As Cambodia diversifies its economy and prepares to graduate from its Least Developed Country status, developing a more sustainable transport infrastructure will be key to its success. The coming years will be exciting ones to shape the transportation sector of the 21st century in line with the Kingdom’s sustainable development objectives. So far, the government has set a policy of zero emissions and will increase the use of electric vehicles to 40 percent and electric motorcycles to 70 percent by 2050.