VIENTIANE, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Lao government aims to have electric vehicles (EVs) account for at least 30 percent of vehicles by 2030, as part of efforts to strengthen economic stability, reduce fuel import costs and make greater use of domestic electricity resources.
Laos imported 37,475 vehicles in the first eight months of 2026, including 8,330 fully electric vehicles, up 107 percent year on year, and 2,804 hybrid vehicles, up 114 percent. Together, new-energy vehicles accounted for 29.7 percent of total vehicle imports, Lao Youth Radio reported on Friday, citing Lao Minister of Industry and Commerce Malaithong Kommasith at the second ordinary session of the 10th National Assembly.
Laos has also expanded its charging infrastructure, licensing 43 operators and establishing 200 charging points across the country. Meanwhile, the Lao central bank is promoting the use of banking systems for vehicle purchases and has issued green bonds as a pilot initiative to mobilize funding for EV infrastructure.
To meet its 2030 target, which includes an estimated 222,784 four-wheeled EVs and 1,307 public charging stations, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce has outlined several measures to accelerate the transition.
The Lao state-run Electricite du Laos has studied a proposal to reduce average electricity rates for charging stations by 10 percent compared with standard commercial rates. A time-of-use pricing system is also being developed to offer lower rates during off-peak hours.
The government is also encouraging commercial banks to provide preferential interest rates and longer repayment periods for EV loans. It plans to transition newly procured government administrative and official vehicles to fully electric models and encourage freight and passenger transport operators to adopt EVs.
To support the transition over the long term, the Ministry of Education and Sports has approved a vocational training curriculum for EV repair and established a dedicated technical training center to develop the skilled workforce needed for EV maintenance and servicing. ■