Zambia has launched its first electric vehicle, a move that government officials say represents a major step toward building a low-emission and investment-driven economy anchored in renewable energy and sustainable transport, Lusaka Times reported.

The initiative, led by the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, is part of the government’s broader plan to position Zambia as a regional hub for climate-conscious investment. Officials said the unveiling signals a shift from policy design to practical execution under President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration.

Green Economy and Environment Minister Mike Mposha said the government is introducing fiscal and industrial incentives to attract investors and encourage adoption of electric vehicles. Import duties on electric cars have been removed, while value-added tax has been waived for locally assembled units.

To support the rollout, the Energy Regulation Board has introduced licensing and safety standards for charging stations, intended to ensure regulatory clarity and build market confidence. The government is also engaging with international partners to mobilise financing from facilities such as the Green Climate Fund and Climate Investment Funds to expand charging networks and de-risk early-stage investment.

“E-mobility delivers a triple dividend—it promotes growth, lowers carbon emissions, and creates green jobs,” Mposha said during the launch ceremony.

Permanent Secretary Douty Chibamba noted that a pilot test conducted by the ministry demonstrated the economic efficiency of electric vehicles, with one model travelling the 357-kilometre route between Lusaka and Kitwe on a single charge costing about 200 kwacha. A petrol-powered vehicle of similar size would cost between 1,500 and 2,000 kwacha to cover the same distance.

The ministry has also installed a solar-powered charging station to highlight the potential of integrating renewable energy sources such as solar and hydro into transport systems.

Cabinet Secretary Patrick Kangwa said the project demonstrates the government’s intention to embed innovation and sustainability in national planning, urging the private sector to invest in charging infrastructure, assembly plants, and battery recycling.

Zambia’s e-mobility programme is aligned with the Eighth National Development Plan, the Green Growth Strategy, and the Nationally Determined Contribution, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 47 percent by 2030.

Officials said the forthcoming Electric Mobility Policy and Strategic Framework, currently under final review by the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, will provide a national roadmap for scaling up electric mobility as part of Zambia’s transition to a green industrial economy.