Global demand for electric vehicles (EVs) continues to rise, but Azerbaijan is moving in the opposite direction, with imports of electric cars declining significantly this year.
Between January and October, electric vehicles accounted for 16.4% of all newly registered cars in the European Union, up 13.2% compared to the same period last year.
In Azerbaijan, however, the trend is downward. Over the first ten months of the year, 1,732 electric vehicles were imported into the country – a decline of 50% and 33.2%, respectively, compared to the same period last year.
Automotive technician Sahil Aghabayli says one of the main reasons behind falling interest is the gap between manufacturers’ claimed driving range and real-world performance.
“Car manuals often promise ranges of 450 or even 650 kilometers. People believe it and buy the car, but after some use, they realize it only goes 250–300 kilometers, or 350 at best. In cold weather, the range drops even further. That disappointment turns buyers away,” he said.
Road safety expert Elmeddin Muradli estimates that Azerbaijan currently has around 3,000 to 5,000 electric vehicles in use. According to him, interest would not be declining if the necessary infrastructure were in place.
“Maintenance services, repairs, and related support for electric vehicles are poorly developed in the regions. As a result, EVs are mostly viewed as city-only cars,” Muradli noted.
He also pointed out that charging stations along major highways remain scarce. Expanding charging infrastructure on national roads, as well as in cities and regions, could help revive consumer interest in electric vehicles, experts say.
