After years of relying on a gasoline-powered car, Egyptian electric vehicle (EV) seller Poula Mounir made the switch to a Chinese-made EV, drawn by its superior technology and battery quality. Now driving a BYD Song L SUV through the streets of Cairo, Mounir has become an advocate for Chinese electric cars.
“I noticed a big difference in terms of cost, maintenance, and efficiency,” Mounir told Xinhua, praising the vehicle’s battery that offers over 600 kilometers on a single charge. “Chinese electric cars are distinct from European ones in terms of technology and battery quality.”
The Egyptian market is experiencing significant growth in electric vehicle adoption, with a notable presence of Chinese-made EVs on the roads. Brands like BYD, Geely, ZEEKR, and NIO are offering a range of models that are rapidly gaining popularity among Egyptians.
According to data from the Egyptian Compulsory Motor Insurance Pool, the first quarter of 2024 saw a boom in electric car sales, with more than 1,419 electric vehicles licensed—nearly one-third of the number licensed in the past three years. From July 2021 to the end of June 2024, the total number of licensed electric vehicles reached 7,213, with BYD emerging as the second most-selling brand.
“There is a growing demand for Chinese-made electric cars,” said Tamer Sabry, owner of an EV dealership in Cairo. “In light of the difficult economic conditions in Egypt and the world, people tend to buy electric cars that are less expensive and have good quality at the same time. Customers can find all these characteristics in Chinese brands, making them among the most popular in Egypt.”
Osama Aboul-Magd, head of the Egyptian Automotive Dealers Association, echoed this sentiment, noting that Chinese EVs are rapidly gaining influence in Egypt. “Chinese electric cars have had a significant impact on the development of the industry worldwide and have moved it to new horizons,” he said.
Looking toward the future, Aboul-Magd believes there are abundant opportunities for cooperation between Egypt and China in the electric car industry. “As a leading country in EV manufacturing, China has helped many countries produce electric cars. Future cooperation in EV manufacturing with China will boost Egypt’s strategy and efforts to localize the EV industry,” he added.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
