AKP Phnom Penh, January 15, 2025 --

The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) registered 2,253 electric vehicles (EVs) in 2024, an increase of 620 percent from 313 in 2023.

China’s BYD leads the EV market in Cambodia, followed by Japan’s Toyota, and America’s Tesla, the ministry’s report stated. 

The popularity of EVs has grown significantly in Cambodia and this growth is part of a remarkable global trend, the ministry’s Spokesperson H.E. Phorn Rim said. 

“The increase in EV usage aligns with a rapidly accelerating global trend, and Cambodia is witnessing a parallel development of its own EV sector,” he said. 

Using EVs has importantly contributed to reducing the impact of carbon dioxide emitted from petrol-powered vehicles and EVs save on fuel costs, with low or zero-emissions, he said.

Cambodia currently has 21 EV charging stations, pointed out the ministry, adding that the Royal Government is committed to achieving 40 percent of electric cars and urban buses, and 70 percent of electric motorbikes by 2050 in order to reduce carbon emissions.

According to the National Policy for the Development of EVs in Cambodia, using EVs costs only 9,633 Riel (US$2.34) for a distance of 100 kilometres, while using petrol or diesel cars costs up to 35,723 Riel (US$8.69).

The ministry also registered 413,067 gasoline-powered vehicles last year, of which motorcycles accounted for the largest share with 353,603 units, followed by light vehicles with 54,692 units and heavy vehicles with 5,841 units.

By Chea Vannak