Erbil, Kurdistan Region – In a major step towards fostering sustainable energy use, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has officially removed import duties on electric cars. This decision is expected to make electric vehicles more affordable for the general public, reduce environmental pollution, and align the region with global trends favoring eco-friendly transportation.

Hawkar Hamad, an employee at an electric car import company, highlighted the potential impact of this new policy. "The exemption on import taxes will lower the cost of electric cars, making them more accessible to the public. This could lead to a significant increase in the number of electric cars in the Kurdistan Region, contributing to a cleaner environment," Hamad stated.

Electric cars, powered entirely by battery, are celebrated for their environmental benefits, emitting no greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and producing no noise pollution. A fully charged electric vehicle can travel between 450 and 500 kilometers, and interest in these cars has been steadily increasing across the Kurdistan Region.

In 2022, Erbil had only 20 registered electric cars. However, the market has grown rapidly, spurred on by the installation of free public charging stations that encourage more drivers to transition to electric vehicles. "Public chargers are far more efficient compared to domestic electricity, which takes longer to charge vehicles," said Dilzar Muhammad, an employee at one such charging station.

The KRG’s decision follows a 2023 request by the Environmental Protection and Repair Board, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lowering noise pollution in the region. "This initiative will help clean Erbil’s environment by cutting emissions like CO2, while also reducing vehicle-related costs," explained Dilshad Hussein Najim, Director of the Erbil Environmental Office.

With nearly two million registered cars in the Kurdistan Region, each vehicle emits an average of four tons of carbon dioxide annually. By promoting the use of electric cars, the KRG aims to play a pivotal role in reducing these emissions and improving air quality.

As infrastructure for electric cars continues to grow, and with the recent removal of import duties, the KRG is making strides towards a cleaner, more sustainable future for the region.