Illustrative photo (Photo: thestar.com.my)Vientiane (VNA) – The number of electrical vehicles (EVs) and charging stations in Laos hasbeen increasing, according to the country’s Ministry of Energy and Mines.
It said Lao authorities have granted licences for 18 charging station operators and there have been 41 stations across the country so far.
The Government of Laos isstrongly encouraging the use of EVs to reduce the need forimported fuel and better ensure energy security. It is also part of thegovernment's strategy to solve the country's economic and financialdifficulties.
To this end, the LaoGovernment has included the goal of increasing the use of clean energy in thefields of transportation and telecommunications into its 9th 5-yearsocio-economic development plan.
The ministry is cooperating with relevant industries to introduce regulations ontaxes and technical standards for EVs and charging stations management.
According to the ministry,Laos has huge potential in electricity production, which will support the use of EVs nationwide.
In 2022, Laos had morethan 3,200 EVs. This year, the country has imported nearly 3,900 others. It is expected that in 2024, the number will continue toincrease.
Besides policies to promote the import andproduction of EVs, Laos also has another toreplace gasoline-powered public vehicles with EVs, aiming to make EVs account for at least 1% of the total vehicles in the country by2025 and at least 30% by 2030./.
