Electric vehicle (EV) imports to Uzbekistan reached a record high in September 2025 — 11,500 units worth $114.4 million, according to Gazeta.uz citing the State Customs Committee. In monetary terms, this figure is 7.4 times higher than in the same month last year, while the volume of imported cars increased 3.5 times — the highest level recorded since early 2023.
The surge coincided with the lifting of mandatory vehicle testing at the Pskent automotive proving ground on September 2. Experts note that the sharp increase may reflect not only new imports but also the registration of vehicles previously awaiting inspection and approval for domestic circulation.
From January to September, Uzbekistan’s total EV imports amounted to $473 million, 2.6 times more than the same period last year ($182.1 million). The average price per imported EV rose by 4.3% — from $11,239 to $11,724, although in some months of 2024 it dropped to as low as $4,500 due to the influx of low-cost Chinese models.
Regional Comparison
The electric vehicle market is expanding across Central Asia, though at different speeds.
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Kazakhstan imported about 8,200 EVs worth over $160 million in the first eight months of 2025 — almost double the figure from a year earlier, according to the Bureau of National Statistics.
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Kyrgyzstan showed a more moderate pace, importing around 1,400 EVs between January and September, mainly from China — 60% more than in 2024.
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Tajikistan and Turkmenistan remain on the margins of the trend, with combined annual imports of no more than 300–400 vehicles, mostly through private purchases.
Thus, Uzbekistan has emerged as the regional leader in EV imports, surpassing even Kazakhstan, whose market is traditionally considered more mature.
Conventional and Hybrid Vehicles
Imports of gasoline-powered cars also began to rebound after eight months of decline. In September, 2,394 vehicles worth $43.6 million were imported — an increase of 45% in volume and 27% in value.
However, over the first nine months of the year, the total fell by half compared to 2024, amounting to 13,560 units worth $276.7 million.
Imports of hybrid vehicles remain low: 2,264 units worth $55.1 million were brought in from January to September — five times less than in the same period last year.
Analysts note that the rapid growth in Uzbekistan’s EV imports reflects not only consumer demand but also a shift in national transport policy toward sustainable “green” technologies and electrification, while neighboring countries are only beginning this transition.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
October 8, 2025