Economy & Energy: H.E. Peng Ponea, "EV, a High Potential Sector in Cambodia"

The electric vehicle (EV) sector has been identified as a key contributor to environmental protection, public welfare improvement, economic diversification and energy security promotion.

The remarks were made by H.E. Peng Ponea, Minister of Public Works and Transport, while presiding over the 3rd Meeting of the Inter-Ministerial Technical Committee to Draft Legal Framework, Policy and National Strategy for the Management and Development of EVs and EV Showcase yesterday morning

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H.E. Minister highlighted the growing interest and encouragement for the use of EVs in the region and globally, driven by concerns about carbon dioxide emissions from combustion vehicles. These emissions contribute to global warming, climate change, air quality decline, and environmental pollution.

The EV Showcase 2024 represents the second collaboration between the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and EnergyLab, following the inaugural event in 2022. The objective of the event is to showcase the Royal Government of Cambodia's EV policy and increase stakeholders' understanding of the impact of EVs and opportunities for transforming the energy sector in Cambodia.

The General Department of Land Transport at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport reports that as of October 2024, a total of 7,618,669 vehicles have been registered in Cambodia.

This includes 6,470,917 motorcycles and tricycles, 847,189 light vehicles, and 300,563 heavy vehicles. Of the vehicles, a total of 4,320 were electric vehicles (EVs), comprising 2,513 electric cars, 478 electric tricycles, and 1,329 electric motorcycles.

The three most popular EV brands in the Kingdom are China's BYD, Japan's Toyota, and the US' Tesla. Currently, EV charging stations are available at 18 locations across the country.

The government has set a target of 40 percent of electric cars and urban buses, and 70 percent of electric motorbikes by 2050 in order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.