Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Uzbekistan has ranked 14th in the electric vehicle adoption index across the CIS and BRICS+ countries, according to a study by the Russian audit and consulting firm, Kept.

The ranking, which covers 16 countries, was based on 13 criteria.

The study reports that global sales of NEVs (New Energy Vehicles) reached 13.8 million units in 2023, bringing the total number of electric vehicles worldwide to 40 million. NEV sales accounted for 18% of total vehicle sales in 2023, a sixfold increase over the past five years. The share of electric vehicles in the passenger car fleet is now 3.2%, up from 0.6% in 2019.

China (63.4 points), India (53.6), and Russia (53) lead the ranking in electric vehicle adoption among CIS and BRICS+ nations.

China stands out as the undisputed leader, with approximately 22 million electric vehicles, over 600,000 electric buses, 3.9 million charging stations, of which 1.2 million are fast chargers. The country has developed a robust production of NEVs (9 NEV manufacturers and 4 electric bus manufacturers) and batteries. China also implements government policies aimed at supporting both manufacturers and consumers of electric vehicles.

In the CIS ranking, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan placed 7th and 9th, respectively. Tajikistan ranked 12th, followed by Armenia in 13th.

Uzbekistan ranked 14th with a score of 46.4 points. Kept attributed this lower score to the delayed start in popularizing electric vehicles and implementing support measures, as well as the lack of domestic NEV production.

Kept acknowledged that Uzbekistan’s adoption of a development program focused on stimulating the electric vehicle industry and promoting NEVs among consumers has the potential to gradually improve its standing.

According to Kept, Uzbekistan currently has between 10,000 and 13,000 electric vehicles. In Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, the number of electric vehicles ranges from 1,000 to 9,000.

The study also notes that Uzbekistan has 0.29 NEVs per 1,000 residents, compared to 0.39 in Kazakhstan, 0.16 in Tajikistan, and 1.16 in Kyrgyzstan.

China surpasses all other countries in the number of charging stations, a result of both the country’s size and effective government policies, including substantial state investment in EV charging infrastructure.

Uzbekistan currently has 200 charging stations, 150 of which are fast chargers.

China’s number of electric buses is also far ahead of other countries, with 643,000 electric buses in operation, equating to 0.4 electric buses per 1,000 residents—significantly higher than elsewhere.

Kept noted that Uzbekistan’s fleet of electric buses consists of 324 units, making it the sixth-largest among CIS and BRICS+ countries.

Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Armenia have launched eco-friendly taxi services that feature electric vehicles.

In late June, the BYD Uzbekistan plant in Jizzakh produced its first series of electric vehicles—the BYD SONG PLUS DM-i CHAMPION.

The plant is gearing up for mass production of BYD passenger vehicles using new energy sources for the Uzbek market, starting with two of the most popular models: the BYD SONG PLUS DM-i CHAMPION (C-segment SUV) and the BYD CHAZOR CHAMPION (sedan). Both vehicles are equipped with BYD’s innovative Super DM-i technology.

In its initial phase, the plant will have a production capacity of up to 50,000 vehicles per year, with plans to export to other Central Asian countries.

The enterprise plans further expansion. In the second phase of the project, $300 million will be invested to increase capacity to 200,000 electric vehicles per year. In the third phase, the company plans to invest $500 million and raise production to 500,000 electric vehicles annually.

BYD also plans to produce other popular models such as the E2, Seagull, and Yuan.