Driving electric vehicles in Zambia-Prospects and challenges

Abstract

The transition from a fossil fuel-fueled to an eco-friendly car fleet in cities and rising fossil fuel prices may pave the way for a more sustainable future. Therefore, EVs should be given top priority so that they can gradually replace conventional automobiles. An infrastructure that can accommodate EVs in this situation is crucial to the overall system's functionality. The goal of this study was to produce a road map to hasten the adoption of electric vehicles and pinpoint potential places for the installation of EV charging stations. Its main focus was on the opportunities and difficulties of operating electric vehicles in the Zambian setting. I used a mixed method approach that included a systematic literature research, semi-structured stakeholder interviews that were thematically analyzed, and an Analytical Hierarchy Process in order to achieve these goals (AHP). The deliverables include a road map for the deployment of EVs in Zambia, foreseeable opportunities, and problems for EVs in Zambia, understanding of the technologies used in charging infrastructure, cost analysis, and total cost of ownership analysis. Results indicate that only 39 of Zambia's 899,186 registered motor vehicles are fully electric, equivalent to a percentage of virtually zero (0.004337%). In Zambia, there is currently no public or commercial charging infrastructure, therefore EV car owners must make do with the level 1 chargers that come standard with the vehicles. It has been discovered that one company. ZESCO limited has managed to get a level 2 charger for private use. Besides the reduction in customs duty, there is no explicit policy direction and very little in the way of direct incentives for the adoption of EVs.