Ethiopian Government Launches Locally-Assembled Electric Car

Posted on : Monday, 10th August 2020

Ethiopia has unveiled a locally-assembled electric car from Marathon Motor, a joint venture between Korean auto giant Hyundai and Olympic champion Haile Gebrselassie.

Mr Haile delivered the vehicle to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

"As we Transform Ethiopia's greening and climate-resilient aspirations into concrete actions through the Green Legacy initiative and Sheger and Entoto Parks, this morning I received the first electric car fully assembled in Ethiopia. No emission cars can help reduce pollution," the PM said in a tweet.

The plant, which started in March, has a capacity to produce 10,000 cars a year.

Once fully charged, the electric car can go for 300 kilometres.

Last year, Ethiopians planted three billion trees as part of the greening and climate resilience initiative championed by the Prime Minister, with an additional four billion trees planted this year.