An electric vehicle is seen in Yangon, Myanmar, March 19, 2024. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua)
"It is a Made-in-China car. Since purchasing it, I've experienced a quieter and more efficient ride," said Ko Swe Naing, a water purification plant owner in Myanmar's commercial hub Yangon.
YANGON, March 20 (Xinhua) -- As fuel prices soar and concerns over environmental impact grow, many residents in Myanmar are turning to electric vehicles (EVs) as a solution to their transportation needs.
Ko Swe Naing, 43, the owner of a purification water plant in Myanmar's bustling commercial hub Yangon, recently made the switch to an EV car.
"Fuel prices are rising. The fuel supply was sometimes insufficient here. Queuing for fuel was annoying," he said. "Therefore, I decided to purchase the EV," he told Xinhua.
"It is a Made-in-China car. Since purchasing it, I've experienced a quieter and more efficient ride. I drive it from my home to the office. I can go up to three or four days on a single charge. It saves on my fuel costs," he said.
An advertisement for an electric vehicle brand is seen in Yangon, Myanmar, March 19, 2024. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua)
Ko Myo Swe, 43, who has been driving an EV for six months, also said, "The advantages of the EVs are the quick acceleration, lack of carbon emissions, and minimal maintenance requirements."
"China is currently leading the EV market worldwide. The influx of Chinese EVs into Myanmar has made the EVs accessible and affordable," he added.
Kyaw Soe, a 50-year-old Yangon resident, told Xinhua that he has bought a new EV as many people in Myanmar have come to use EVs. "I already had two fuel cars. I purchased this EV a few days ago because I wanted to try it," he said.
But the lack of charging stations in Myanmar remains a challenge for EV users, he added.
For Khaing Htoo, a 32-year-old EV user in Yangon, the transition to an EV was driven by both cost-saving measures and the desire for a smoother driving experience.
"Shortages of fuel supply in the past months pushed me to consider an EV," he said. "My car is a Chinese BYD brand. I mostly drive in downtown Yangon. It is very convenient to drive downtown. It is quiet and light," he added.
Electric vehicles are seen at a charging station in Yangon, Myanmar, March 19, 2024.(Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua)
Beyond vehicle owners, passengers are also embracing EVs. U Kyaw Tun, a passenger in his 60s, praised the efficient air conditioning of EVs during his journey from Yangon city of Yangon Region to Pyapon town of Ayeyarwaddy Region.
"I frequently come to Yangon for work. Since the introduction of electric vehicle transport between Yangon and Pyapon, I have taken only EVs. They are quiet and their air conditioning is very good," he said.
With growing awareness of environmental issues and the economic benefits of EV ownership, stakeholders are optimistic about the future of e-mobility in the country.
Visitors look at a BYD e2 battery electric car imported from China at the Pannita Auto Fair in Yangon, Myanmar, March 2, 2023. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua)
Daw Myat Mon Thein, a deputy general manager from the Ministry of Industry, said, "Many people, particularly those in the cities in Myanmar, are switching to EVs because fuel prices are rising globally."
She further highlighted that nearly all the EVs in Myanmar come from China, underscoring China's leadership in EV technology.
"We are working our best in accordance with EV frameworks. Therefore, despite some challenges, the use of EVs in the country will only increase in the future. It will not decrease," she said. ■
