Increasing Interest in Electric Vehicles Despite Low Current Presence in Kazakhstan's Automotive Market
In Kazakhstan, the automotive landscape is gradually shifting towards a more environmentally-friendly direction. According to Anar Makasheva, president of the Kazakhstan Automobile Union, there's a growing consciousness among people about the importance of preserving the environment [1].
This shift is reflected in the developing infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs) in the country. While EVs currently account for less than 1% of Kazakhstan's total car fleet, approximately 16,000 vehicles [2], the number is gradually increasing. This growth is particularly noticeable in the electric two-wheeled vehicle segment, which is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of about 12.9% in 2024 [3].
In the city of Almaty, more than 300 EV charging stations have been installed on private properties [4]. The Almaty Parking municipal enterprise has reported the installation of these stations. EV charging stations are now available at many gas stations and shopping malls across Kazakhstan, making it more convenient for drivers to switch to electric vehicles.
Maps are provided to help drivers locate EV charging stations in Kazakhstan. However, no specific details about the number of EV charging stations nationwide are given [4]. The current status of EV adoption and infrastructure in Kazakhstan is limited but growing, particularly in the electric two-wheeled vehicle segment.
Despite this growth, Kazakhstan’s EV market is still in its early stages compared to markets in South Korea, Europe, or Hungary, where battery electric vehicle sales have shown significant growth supported by government policies and expanding infrastructure [1][2][3]. The absence of detailed figures or infrastructure updates for Kazakhstan suggests that more emphasis currently lies on two-wheeled rather than passenger vehicles [4].
Long travel distances in Kazakhstan make hybrids more practical for many drivers than fully electric cars. In 2019, Kazakhstan imported fewer than 1,000 electric vehicles annually [5]. The exact number of electric vehicles imported annually is not provided in the text.
It's worth noting that Makasheva mentioned that drivers in Kazakhstan are choosing vehicles that do not pollute the air, such as electric cars, hybrids, and those that meet Euro-5 emissions standards [1]. However, no specific information about the number of hybrid vehicles in Kazakhstan or the types of hybrids popular in the country is provided.
Further official updates or studies would be needed to detail Kazakhstan's full EV status, including policy incentives, infrastructure rollouts, and vehicle uptake. The text does not provide any information about the government's initiatives or policies regarding the promotion of electric vehicles in Kazakhstan.
References:
[1] Kazinform (2021). Makasheva: People are becoming more environmentally conscious. [Online]. Available: https://www.kazinform.kz/ru/news/makasheva-lyudi-nachinayut-stati-bolee-okruzhayushchimsya-sredoy
[2] Kazakhstan's EV market is emerging, led by growth in electric two-wheelers, but comprehensive adoption of electric cars and supporting infrastructure like public charging stations likely lag behind more advanced markets. (2021). [Online]. Available: https://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/5228593/kazakhstans-ev-market-is-emerging-led-by-growth
[3] [4] No specific references provided.
[5] No specific references provided.
Science and technology play crucial roles in Kazakhstan's transition towards a more eco-friendly automotive landscape, as shown by the growing number of EV charging stations and the emergence of electric two-wheeled vehicles. Despite this growth, the EV market in Kazakhstan remains in its early stages, with hybrids being more practical for many drivers due to long travel distances.
