Zimbabwe plans to slash import duty on EVs to boost demand

HARARE, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) — Zimbabwean Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube on Thursday proposed reducing import duty on electric vehicles (EVs) starting January 2025 to encourage the adoption of eco-friendly transportation.
Presenting the 2025 national budget in Parliament, Ncube revealed that the import duty on EVs will drop from 40 percent to 25 percent.
“Cognizant of the need to promote the use of eco-friendly vehicles, which will result in reduced carbon emissions, I propose to reduce customs duty on electric motor vehicles, with effect from 1 January 2025,” Ncube said.
He also proposed extending duty rebates for equipment used to establish solar-powered EV charging stations, provided they are imported by approved operators, to further incentivize EV adoption.
Highlighting the urgency of addressing climate change, Ncube emphasized the importance of innovative solutions leveraging natural resources to combat climate-related challenges.
The proposed policy change comes amid growing interest in EVs in Zimbabwe, with stakeholders calling for measures to make the shift to electric mobility more attractive.
As a producer of lithium — a critical component in lithium-ion batteries used to power EVs — Zimbabwe aims to achieve a 33 percent market penetration of EVs by 2030. ■