Pathways to Scaling Urban Electric Mobility in Cambodia
Electric mobility increasingly heralded as the future of travel and transport. Seen as a low-cost, zero pollution alternative to traditional combustion engine alternatives, electric vehicles have grown in global popularity, making up 10% of global auto sales in 2022. In the Cambodian context, the first steps have been taken to embrace the electric revolution with the government reducing import duties on electric vehicles in 2021. Concurrently, domestic electric vehicle manufacturers including Voltra Motors, Oyika, and Onion continue to establish a competitive foothold in the automobile market. In the face of a global climate disaster, the move away from fossil fuels is crucial, whilst in the Cambodian context advantages accrue when considering the anticipated reductions in air pollution and cost. However, there remain crucial roadblocks to be explored and addressed in order to manage a smooth transition.
1. Domestic Scale
Despite the early success of domestic market operations in the electric vehicle supply chain, limitations around production scale and the requisite workforce skills, threaten to limit progress.
2. Public perceptions
NCSD's Electric Motorcycle Assessment in Phnom Penh in 2019 showed that the price, driving speed and cruising range were the main influential factors to the acceptance of e-bike, therefore hindered the progress of the adoption.
3. Infrastructure
Cambodia's electric vehicle infrastructure remains nascent and inadequate if it is to support a rapid and sustained adoption.
TO BEGIN ANSWERING THESE QUESTIONS, IN MARCH 2023, ENERGYLAB IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BRITISH EMBASSY IN CAMBODIA, HELD AN EVENT ON PATHWAYS TO SCALING URBAN ELECTRIC MOBILITY IN CAMBODIA.
Images: Caption: Mr. Yann Vaudin, CEO of Voltra; Mr. Sabat Arjun, General Manager of Comin Asia; Mr. Andy Chun, General Director of VERYWORDS; H.E. Dominic Williams, British ambassador to Cambodia; Mr. Natharoun Ngo Son, Country Director of EnergyLab; Ms. Cécile Dahome, Co-Founder and CEO of Sevea; and, Mr. Sophal Kong, Deputy Director General of the General Department of Land Transport of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport. Other Event Photos