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Egypt is currently striving to promote the development of the electric vehicle industry and enhance the country’s potential as a manufacturing and export center for electric vehicles. The Egyptian government has already begun implementing plans for the mass production of electric vehicles, striving to achieve nearly 100% local procurement of components in the future. The Egyptian government has also introduced measures to invest approximately 1.5 billion US dollars in the expansion of the country’s electric vehicle manufacturing plants and charging stations. According to Egyptian media reports, GV Investment Company of Egypt and China FAW Group recently reached a cooperation agreement to produce affordable electric vehicles in the Middle East. GV Investment Company Chairman Sharif Hamouda said that under the agreement, its subsidiary will start producing China FAW’s affordable electric vehicles in Egypt in the first quarter of 2025. These vehicles are expected to be used mainly for online car-hailing services. GV Investment Company aims to localize 65% of the vehicle’s components within the next three to five years and export its products to the Middle East, Africa, Europe and Latin America. Egypt’s newspaper Al Ahram reported that Chinese electric vehicle technology is mature and reliable. Egypt can benefit from cooperating with China, which will not only help the development of the country’s automobile manufacturing industry and industrialization process, but also have a positive and significant impact on green development, reducing carbon emissions, reducing pollution, and combating climate change. The Egyptian government strongly advocates the development of the electric vehicle industry as an important step in energy transformation, energy conservation and emission reduction. Pyramid Online reported that Egyptian President al-Sisi said in a statement that Egypt will step up efforts to promote the localized production of electric vehicles and improve related infrastructure construction. As early as 2021, Egypt launched its first locally produced electric vehicle, the “E70 Nasser,” which was manufactured by a partnership between China’s Dongfeng Motor Corporation and Egypt’s Nasser Company, with a localization ratio of 58%. Egypt has a population of about 105 million, making it the most populous country in North Africa. According to Egyptian media reports, in the first three months of 2024, sales of electric vehicles in the Egyptian car market surged, with a total of 1,419 vehicles sold, including 544 in January, 469 in February, and 406 in March, which is almost one-third of the number of electric vehicles sold in the past three years. Egyptian automotive experts and industry insiders are optimistic about the new energy automotive market in Egypt and are looking forward to Sino-Egyptian cooperation. Egyptian automotive expert Radif said that China is a world leader in the manufacturing of batteries and electric vehicles. He hopes that China and Egypt can cooperate more in the manufacturing of electric vehicles to produce electric vehicles that meet the needs of Egyptian citizens. Radif also refuted the accusations by Western countries that “China is exporting excess production capacity overseas,” calling it “nonsense” and slander with ulterior motives. Abu Magid, Chairman of the Egyptian Automobile Dealers Association, said that Chinese electric vehicles have had a significant impact on the development of the world’s electric vehicle industry and have taken it to a new level. Egypt looks forward to cooperating with China in this field. This is the best choice for the development of Egypt’s electric vehicle industry.

Peru’s electric vehicle market continues to grow significantly. According to data provided by the Asociación Automotriz del Perú(AAP), sales of electric vehicles increased by 50 percent in the first quarter of the year, with the total number of unregistered vehicles reaching 1,433. The dynamism of the electric vehicle market in Peru can be attributed to a large extent to the demand for hybrid vehicles,” said David, Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager at Toyota Peru. Approximately 89% of the cars sold in Peru have this technology, 36% of which are hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and the rest are mild hybrids (Mild HEVs).” The executive emphasized that electric hybrids are the most convenient option for consumers because they do not need to worry about charging, which is one of the main problems with the limited number of charging stations. Peru has 58 charging stations throughout the country, but only eight of them are fast charging stations. In addition, the price range of these vehicles is more affordable for consumers than other electrification technologies. For this reason, electric hybrids are the most suitable transition option in Peru. In the first quarter of this year, more than 1,200 hybrid vehicles were sold, including 514 unregistered hybrids. This technology, which combines an internal combustion engine with an electric engine, helps reduce CO2 emissions by up to 40%, compared to 10% for mild hybrids. In terms of the geographical distribution of sales, Lima concentrated nearly 83 percent of electric vehicle sales, followed by Arequipa and Trujillo with shares of 5.7 percent and 3.3 percent, respectively. He said, “Since last year, automotive brands have shown great interest in expanding their operations to more regions of Peru.” Electric vehicle sales in 2023 will be 4,484 units, an increase of 67.3% over 2022 sales.

Recently, the Municipality of Panama issued a new policy announcing that owners of electric vehicles in the Panama District will be exempt from transportation taxes for the first five years of ownership. Ana Polo, director of fees at the municipal treasury, explained that this measure is part of the Green License Program, which aims to improve environmental standards in the province of Panama. “The green license plates have already been issued and vehicle owners need only go to the municipal office to complete the registration of their vehicles to benefit from the tax exemption.” Polo elaborated. She further revealed that the relevant authorities are currently updating and refining their statistics and expect to complete the detailed registration of this new batch of vehicles in the coming weeks, as well as checking the data with the companies selling the electric vehicles. According to data provided by the State Secretariat for Energy (SNE), sales of electric vehicles reached 371 units in 2023, a growth rate of more than 50 percent compared to 160 units in 2022. In addition, sales figures for the first four months of 2024 show strong growth in the electric vehicle market: Juan Navarro, president of the Panamanian Energy Chamber of Commerce, said on TVN News that the starting price for these electric cars is $10,000 with no ceiling. There is reasonable pricing for the various brands on the market, while local banks offer financing for the purchase of these vehicles, further lowering the barrier to purchase. Regarding how the electric vehicles work, Navarro explains, “Instead of relying on gasoline, these vehicles are powered by rechargeable batteries that have a range of up to about 300 kilometers, which is equivalent to the distance from the capital to Santiago de Veraguas.” Users can charge them at home or anywhere by installing a charger, or even by utilizing solar panels. In terms of maintenance, Navarro noted that EVs cost about 50 percent less to maintain than traditional gasoline vehicles and are simpler. Since electric cars have no internal combustion engine components, only the battery and conventional parts, such as tires and shock absorbers, need to be maintained, and the warranty on the battery is usually up to 10 years. He also emphasized that Panama is ready for these environmentally friendly and economical vehicles, with more than 170 charging stations for electric vehicles already in place throughout the country.

Guyana, a country located in northeastern South America, is not prominent on the global economic map, but the development of its electric vehicle industry has its own unique history and current status. Guyana’s electric vehicle industry got its start late, but in recent years it has begun to emerge as the global focus on sustainable energy and reducing carbon emissions has intensified. The history of Guyana’s electric vehicle industry dates back to the early 21st century, when global interest in electric vehicles began to rise. However, initial investment and development was relatively slow due to the small domestic market. It is only in the last decade, as technology has advanced and costs have fallen, that the Government of Guyana has begun to place greater emphasis on electric vehicles as a way to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels. The government has introduced a range of incentives, including tax incentives, subsidies for vehicle purchases, and support for the construction of charging infrastructure to promote the adoption of EVs. In terms of the current state of the market, the electric vehicle industry in Guyana is still in its growth phase. Currently, there are limited brands and models of electric vehicles available in the market, but with the entry of international brands such as Tesla and Nissan into the market, consumers’ choices are gradually increasing. Additionally, local companies have begun to venture into the production and sale of electric vehicles, albeit on a smaller scale, signaling the potential for growth of the local industry. At the policy level, the Guyana government has developed a clear roadmap to promote the development of the electric vehicle industry. According to official releases, the government plans to significantly increase the number of public charging stations and encourage private investment in more charging facilities in the coming years. At the same time, the government is also considering imposing higher taxes on traditional fuel vehicles as a way to further stimulate demand for electric vehicles. In terms of economic impact, the growth of the electric vehicle industry has brought new jobs and business models to Guyana. The entire industry chain, from car sales to maintenance services to battery recycling, is gradually improving. In addition, with the popularization of electric vehicles, the demand for electricity will increase, which may prompt Guyana to accelerate the development of its renewable energy projects, such as hydroelectric power and solar power, thus promoting the transformation of the energy structure of the entire country. Environmental benefits are another major driver for the development of Guyana’s electric vehicle industry. As a country rich in natural resources, Guyana is committed to protecting its ecosystem. The promotion of electric vehicles will help to reduce emissions and improve urban air quality, and is also in line with international initiatives to combat climate change. Although the development of Guyana’s electric vehicle industry faces many challenges, such as inadequate infrastructure, low consumer awareness, and high maintenance costs, the outlook for its development remains optimistic. As technology continues to advance and costs are further reduced, it is expected that electric vehicles will be more widely used in Guyana in the coming years. In conclusion, Guyana’s electric vehicle industry has made some progress despite its short history of development. Under the active promotion of the government and in conjunction with the trends in the international market, this industry is expected to become an important force driving Guyana’s economic transformation and sustainable development. With the implementation of more relevant policies and the maturity of the market, the future of electric vehicles in Guyana will be even brighter.

More and more consumers in Costa Rica are joining the ranks of electric vehicle use, realizing that reducing emissions is good for the environment. According to data from the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE), in 2010 there were 233 electric vehicles in Costa Rica; as of June 2024, the number of electric vehicles has increased to 16,531 vehicles. The Costa Rican website adiariocr.com reports that cars make up the majority of all electric vehicles, followed by specialized motor vehicles, then motorcycles, and to a lesser extent light vehicles, pickups, buses and minibuses. The growth of the electric vehicle sector is also reflected in the import figures. The Association of Vehicle and Machinery Importers (AIVEMA) reports that in the first half of 2024, Costa Rica imported 6,739 electric vehicles; the number of electric vehicles imported in 2023 exceeds the total number of imports in the period between 2018 and 2022. From an economic point of view, electric vehicles have advantages over vehicles that use fossil fuels, reducing consumers’ daily expenses. In addition, in the long run, electric vehicles are maintained less frequently compared to fuel vehicles. Carlos Aguilar, head of the Association of Importers of Vehicles and Machinery (AIVM), said that 30 EV models were on display at the car show held at the ALESTE shopping center in Curridabat from July 5 to 7, 2024, for consumers who are still considering whether to buy an electric vehicle. In 2018, Costa Rica enacted the Electric Mobility Incentives and Promotion Act, which implements tax exemptions for the importation and sale of electric vehicles, however it has been abused by dealers. Congressman Gilbert Jiménez noted that some dealerships have exceeded 40% marketing margins. In an effort to ensure that EV consumers ultimately benefit from the tax credit, Jiménez has introduced a bill that would set a maximum marketing profit of 20 percent for EVs. If the bill is approved, dealers earning more than 20 percent of a vehicle’s value would be fined for failing to pay the tax correctly.

Despite the fact that Guatemala is vigorously promoting clean energy vehicles, data released by the relevant agencies show that sales of electric and hybrid vehicles are still not as good as they could be. What are the reasons? A recent article in the Guatemalan press analyzes the situation. More than a year after the law regulating the importation and sale of electric vehicles came into force (August 30, 2022), Guatemala’s transition to clean energy vehicles is still progressing very slowly. According to official data, in 2023, Guatemala’s vehicle fleet stood at approximately 5,184,000 vehicles, of which gasoline accounted for 4,500,000, diesel 567,000, electric vehicles 1,428, and hybrids 5,905. Among the electric vehicles, motorcycles accounted for the most at 883, private cars for 166 and buses and coaches for only 17. Expensive prices dissuade consumers Jean Pierre Devaux, president of the Association of New Vehicle Importers and Dealers, noted that a total of 146 electric vehicles were sold in 2023, an increase of 123 over 2022. By contrast, sales of hybrids increased even more: 1,509 hybrids were sold in 2023, compared to 1,004 last year, an increase of 505 units. Devaux believes that buying an electric or hybrid car has become a popular trend, and that the main factor preventing people from switching to hybrids or electric cars is cost, in addition to a lack of infrastructure, charging ports, and related knowledge. “Many people who are interested in purchasing these types of vehicles believe that they may face the dilemma of running out of power when they go on long trips.” Devaux said, explaining that this is rare because more than 94 percent of such vehicles are residential and are only driven in cities. At the same time, the Electric Vehicle Incentive Act partially banned the importation of used EVs and hybrids, thus reducing the supply in the market, so there are very few of these low-cost or commonly used commercially branded vehicles, which limits the public’s access to them. In addition, price is a decisive resistance for people to shift their purchasing goals to electric and hybrid vehicles. The average price of an electric vehicle is as high as $180,000, compared to about $100,000 for the same level of internal combustion vehicle, making the former almost twice as expensive as the latter. Similarly, hybrids are far more expensive than internal combustion vehicles. What do the officials say? Guatemala’s Minister of Energy and Mines (MEM), Manuel Eduardo Arita, said that they are already heavily campaigning on the incentives in the law as well as the benefits of using electric vehicles, which in addition to aiming to promote them, also aims to encourage people to increasingly invest in electric vehicles. Regarding the issue of high prices, Nancy Chacón, President of the Electric Vehicle Association (Amegua), argued that although electric vehicles are currently more expensive than traditional internal combustion vehicles, 100% electric vehicles save on operating costs: not only do they save on fuel costs, but they are also simpler to maintain due to the fact that there are fewer parts and they can save between 80% and 90% of the costs.

A total of 25,408 vehicles were sold in the Belarusian automotive market in 2023, with Chinese automotive brands accounting for 82.6% of total Belarusian sales. Russian car sales recovered by 48% in 2023, after a 63% drop in 2022 due to the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. 78 vehicles from 20 brands were sold in Belarus in 2023, with Chinese car brands accounting for 82.6% of total Belarusian sales, and Geely (which has an assembly plant in Belarus) brand accounting for 90% of the sales among the Chinese brands. Geely (which has an assembly plant in Belarus) accounted for 90% of the sales. The top 4 sales charts in Belarus are all occupied by Geely vehicles of different styles. Electric cars are seeing a significant uptick in sales in Belarus, but based on very low sales in 2022. 422 electric cars were sold in Belarus in 2023, an increase of 667% from 2022. The top three EV sales are all Chinese brands. Lantu FREE in first place with 244 units sold, Geely Geometry c in second place with 137 units sold, and FAW Bestune NAT in third place with 21 units sold. Chairman of the Belarusian Automobile Association Varivoda noted that sales on the Belarusian automobile market will grow by 25% in 2024. The growth in electric car consumption will also be strong, growing to 1,900 units in 2024. This is due to the good roads in Belarus, the continued construction of charging piles, and the surplus domestic electricity market.

Kazakhstan New Energy Electric Vehicles and Charging Piles Market Analysis Kazakhstan, the economic giant of Central Asia, is in a critical period of energy transition. The country is known for its rich oil and gas resources, but is now facing challenges of energy security and environmental pollution. In order to address these challenges and promote economic diversification, the government of Kazakhstan is giving a major push to the development of new energy sources and electric mobility. According to the latest market analysis, Kazakhstan’s new energy and electric vehicle market is growing strongly despite its late start. Over the past year, the number of electric vehicles has increased significantly by 65.4% to 812. Nonetheless, EVs still account for less than 0.02% of the country’s total vehicle fleet, indicating a huge market potential. In terms of charging infrastructure, Kazakhstan currently has a limited number of charging stations, concentrated in the two main cities of Almaty and Nursultan. According to eDrive.kz, there are only 81 charging stations available in the country. This falls far short of market demand, especially considering that Kazakhstan’s automotive industry association, Kazavtoprom, expects that in order to support the growth of e-mobility, the country will need to establish at least 40,000 charging posts or 8,000 charging stations by 2030. This demand provides a huge opportunity for the charging piles market. The new energy electric vehicle and charging pile market in Kazakhstan, although currently small, is expected to achieve rapid growth in the future with government policy support and increasing social acceptance. This not only provides a favorable market environment for manufacturers, distributors, service providers and investors of electric vehicles and charging piles, but also opens up a new path for the country’s green transformation and sustainable development. Kazakhstan’s new energy electric vehicle and charging pile industry segmentation Kazakhstan’s new energy electric vehicle and charging pile industry segmentation can be divided from multiple perspectives, including product type, technology level, market demand and competitive landscape. The following is a detailed analysis based on these dimensions: Product Type Segmentation Electric Passenger Vehicles & Charging Piles: This category includes sedans, SUVs, buses, etc., which are mainly used for personal or family travel. The advantages of electric passenger cars include energy saving and environmental protection, low operating costs, low noise, easy maintenance, etc. The corresponding charging piles are divided into fast charging piles and charging piles. The corresponding charging piles are categorized into fast charging piles and slow charging piles, as well as AC charging piles and DC charging piles. Electric buses and charging piles: Mainly serving the urban public transportation system, the advantages include reducing exhaust emissions, improving operational efficiency and lowering operational costs. Types of charging piles include station charging piles and yard charging piles, as well as mechanical power exchange, wireless charging, rail charging and other methods. Electric Logistics Vehicles and Charging Piles: Including vans, trucks, trailers, etc., mainly used for urban logistics and distribution. These vehicles improve transportation efficiency, reduce transportation costs, and adapt to urban traffic rules. Charging piles are divided into special charging piles and public charging piles. Electric motorcycles and charging piles: Including motorcycles, electric bicycles, electric tricycles, etc., suitable for personal or small commercial trips. These vehicles are flexible, convenient, inexpensive and have a long range. Charging piles are also divided into specialized charging piles and public charging piles. Technology Level Breakdown Traditional electric vehicles and charging piles: Lead-acid batteries or nickel-metal hydride batteries are used as the power source, and AC motors or DC motors are used as the drive system. The technology level of these vehicles and charging piles is relatively low. New energy electric vehicles and charging piles: using lithium-ion batteries or other new types of batteries as the power source and permanent magnet synchronous motors or brushless DC motors as the drive system. These vehicles and charging piles represent the mainstream of the industry and a high technical level. Intelligent Electric Vehicles and Charging Piles: Intelligent transformation using internet, big data, artificial intelligence and other technologies to improve safety, comfort and convenience. The charging pile adopts wireless connection or contactless connection, representing the cutting edge of the industry and the highest technical level. Although Kazakhstan’s new energy EV and charging pile industry started not long ago, it has formed a diversified product and technology structure, laying a solid foundation for future development. With the advancement of technology and market expansion, it is expected that these market segments will further develop and mature Kazakhstan’s Government Policy on New Energy Electric Vehicles and Charging Piles The government of Kazakhstan attaches great importance to the development of new energy electric vehicles and charging piles industry, and has formulated a series of policies to support the growth of this industry. The following are the main policy measures in the field of new energy electric vehicles and charging piles in Kazakhstan: Energy Strategy 2030: This strategy aims to realize energy security, energy efficiency and energy diversification. New and renewable energy is an important part of this strategy, of which electric vehicles and charging piles are important vehicles for new and renewable energy. The government plans for new and renewable energy sources to account for 10% of total energy consumption and electric vehicles to account for 10% of the total vehicle fleet by 2030. Environmental Protection Policy: The government of Kazakhstan has developed the National Environmental Action Plan 2020, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and combat climate change. Transportation is one of the main sources of GHG emissions, and electric vehicles and charging piles are effective measures to reduce transportation emissions. The government plans to reduce GHG emissions by 15% from 2008 levels and air pollutant emissions by 10% from 2010 levels by 2020. National Strategy for Industrial Innovation and Development 2025: The strategy aims to promote industrial structural transformation, improve industrial competitiveness and create jobs. New energy vehicles and charging equipment are one of the key areas of industrial innovation development, and electric vehicles and charging piles are the core products

Automotive Industry Profile Overview of the production sector: The automotive manufacturing sector in Kyrgyzstan is small and mainly focused on assembly and modification. Most vehicles are imported due to local production costs and market size constraints. Sales in 2023: According to the National Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan, the sales of automobiles in Kyrgyzstan reached approximately 20,000 units in 2023, representing an increase of 5% compared to the previous year. The share of new car sales was about 40%, while the share of used car sales was 60%. Top 10 Branded Vehicle Sales: In 2023, the top 10 selling car brands were, in order, Toyota (4,000 units), Hyundai (2,500 units), Kia (2,000 units), Renault (1,500 units), Volkswagen (1,200 units), Ford (1,000 units), Skoda (800 units), Chevrolet (700 units), Nissan (600 units), and BMW ( 500 units). These figures reflect the dominance of international brands and consumers’ quest for quality and value for money. Consumer car market Passenger Vehicles and Freight Transportation Vehicles: The passenger transportation market in Kyrgyzstan is dominated by small cars and light commercial vehicles, while the freight transportation market is dominated by light vans and heavy trucks.In 2023, sales of small cars will be approximately 10,000 units, light commercial vehicles will be 3,000 units, light vans will be 2,000 units, and heavy trucks will be 500 units.The passenger transportation market in Kyrgyzstan is dominated by small cars and light commercial vehicles, while the freight transportation market is dominated by light vans and heavy trucks. Vehicle Ownership and Ownership per 1,000 Population: By the end of 2023, Kyrgyzstan’s vehicle ownership was approximately 400,000 vehicles and 66 vehicles per 1,000 population, which is lower than the global average, but shows the potential for market growth. Automobile imports: In 2023, the total value of automobile imports into Kyrgyzstan was about USD 200 million, of which the value of automobiles imported from China was USD 40 million, accounting for 20% of the total imports. Imported automobiles mainly come from China, Russia, Japan and South Korea. Used Car Market MARKET OVERVIEW: The used car market in Kyrgyzstan traded around 12,000 units in 2023, accounting for 60% of total car sales. The dynamism of the used car market reflects consumers’ price sensitivity and practical considerations regarding the need to use their vehicles. Major markets: Auto City in Bishkek and Auto Plaza in Osh are the largest used car markets in Kyrgyzstan, offering a wide selection of models and convenient trading services. Auto Parts Market Size of the industry: In 2023, Kyrgyzstan’s auto parts imports will total $150 million, of which the value of parts imported from China will be around $30 million. Import of Chinese components: The top 20 imported Chinese auto parts and components by trade name and import value include: engine parts (US$5 million), tires (US$4 million), braking systems (US$3.5 million), suspension systems (US$3 million), etc. The trade names and import volumes of the top 20 importers cover specific products in the above categories, e.g. 10,000 engine parts, 100,000 tires, 5,000 sets of braking systems, etc. Aftermarket situation: the main automobile repair market and parts sales market are located in major cities such as Bishkek and Osh etc. In 2023, the market size of Kyrgyzstan’s automobile repair and maintenance service market will be about USD 30 million, of which the share of Chinese automobile parts and components in this market will be about 15%.

Gazprom Neft Management Committee Chairman Gyukov announced that the number of electric vehicle charging piles at the company’s gas stations will more than double by 2025, from the current 65 to 140. He said the company’s charging business is already profitable and believes the charging market will continue to expand with the growing number of electric vehicles. Infrastructure challenges Experts believe that the lack of infrastructure makes it difficult for electric cars to grow rapidly in Russia. In an interview with Rossiyskaya Gazeta, Stankovich, deputy chairman of the Russian State Duma’s Energy Committee, said that world experience proves that to promote the popularization of electric vehicles, a network of charging stations covering a wide range of areas should be constructed early, otherwise it will be difficult to increase consumers’ willingness to buy cars. As of the end of June, there were 7,410 charging piles in Russia, of which 65.5% were slow chargers (AC), which take five hours to charge, and 34.5% were fast chargers (DC), which take up to 1.5 hours to charge, according to Autostat, an analyzer of Russia’s automotive market. According to statistics from Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development, these charging piles serve 52,000 purely electric vehicles, counting hybrid cars, with an average of 12 vehicles served by each charging pile. While the world’s average pile ratio is 10 to 1, the fastest growing electric transportation in China is 8 to 1. It is expected that by the end of the year, Russia’s pile ratio will drop to 14 to 1. Experts believe that due to Russia’s large size and low population density, the pile ratio should be lower than that of China. Electric transportation in Russia is better developed in Moscow and Moscow region, St. Petersburg, Nizhny Novgorod, Krasnodar Krai, Irkutsk region, Khabarovsk Krai and Primorsky Krai. These areas are mainly large cities, where the gas stations of large oil companies can provide a wide range of services such as stores, and where it is easier to make a return on the installation and maintenance of charging piles, so the presence of charging piles is perfectly justified. However, small independent gas stations in remote areas are limited by lower average retail fuel margins and only have 1-2 electric cars charging per week, making building charging piles a burden. Difficulty of making charging piles profitable Stankovic, deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Energy, revealed that investors in charging piles have complained about the high price of connecting to the grid. in 2023 this cost has risen to 3-4 million rubles (100 rubles is about 7.3 yuan) due to the abolition of the preferential access fee. According to investors, the key factor hindering the development of the market is the low ownership of electric cars, not the low number of charging piles. According to Gusev, Vice Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Association “Reliable Partners” and member of the Expert Council of the “Gas Stations of Russia” competition, it is too early to talk about the profitability of charging piles, which is an investment for the future, but it is not yet clear how electric cars will take root in Russia. But it’s not clear how electric cars will take root in Russia. It is likely that these electrical infrastructures will be an intermediate transitional stage for the next generation of fuel or combination engines. Thus, from a business perspective, the role of charging posts is more of a decorative corporate image aimed at making gas stations full-service. Kazachkov, head of the Transportation Business Cooperation Practice at Russian audit and consulting firm Kept, agrees that one can only talk about charging post operational returns now, i.e., recovering operating and maintenance costs. Since electric car owners spend several times as much time at gas stations as fuel vehicle owners, charging post profitability depends on their utilization rate, as well as on additional spending by drivers at gas stations. Electric cars are sold at high prices State support measures for the construction of charging piles are now in place in Russia. Stankovich said that since 2022 12 pilot regions in Russia have been granting subsidies for charging pile construction under the state program, up to 60% of the cost, but not more than 1.86 million rubles.In addition, state support measures include subsidies for EV purchases, preferential financing leases and car loans, but the maximum subsidy amount has been reduced to 625,000 rubles in 2023 from 925,000 rubles in 2022. Electric cars are very expensive in Russia. Kazatchkov said that electric cars now belong mainly to the high-end market with limited demand. State support measures are aimed at stimulating localization of production, but as of now, the volume of domestically produced electric cars in Russia is very small and there are not many models. Imported electric cars have become expensive due to tariffs. In addition, there are regulatory barriers to the Russian electric car market. Revenues from paid chargers in Russia reached 2 billion rubles in 2023, said Tereshkin, general director of Open Oil Market, a trading platform for petroleum products and raw materials. Further growth of this indicator will largely depend on simplifying the process of connecting charging piles to residential buildings and updating technical standards. He believes that the national standard for charging piles, which was developed in 2013, is in urgent need of updating for a fast-growing industry.