Fethi Hanchi, Director General of the National Agency for Energy Management (ANME), announced that electric vehicle charging tariffs will be unregulated, meaning they will not be directly set by the government.
In an interview with Africanmanager, he explained that the cost of installing a charging station varies depending on capacity and the type of electrical current.
For instance, a 100-kilowatt charging station costs 400,000 dinars, while a 22-kilowatt station costs no more than 20,000 dinars.
He also confirmed that the State has taken steps to promote electric vehicles and to ensure both technological and energy transitions.
In recent years, the electric vehicle sector has benefited from a series of incentive measures. What do these measures consist of?
The tax incentives introduced in 2022 and 2024 have led to market growth.
The reduction in taxes on electric vehicles and lowering of VAT in 2024 helped reduce the cost of vehicles and supply, thereby stimulating growth in the car fleet.
Additionally, a unit within ANME has been created to monitor these tax benefits, evaluate their added value, and track the sale prices of such vehicles.
What are the most recent official statistics on electric and hybrid vehicles in Tunisia?
As of October 2024, Tunisia had 300 electric vehicles, 800 plug-in hybrid vehicles and 8,000 conventional hybrid vehicles.
These figures reflect significant market momentum.
Our goal is to reach 50,000 electric vehicles and 5,000 charging stations by 2030.
Is the current charging station coverage sufficient in Tunisia?
Yes. We’ve worked with municipalities, major shopping areas, and hotels to install over 60 charging stations, bringing the total to 180. The goal is to reach 5,000 stations by 2030.
At least one station has been installed in each governorate, which **reassures EV users and addresses concerns about insufficient infrastructure.
It’s also worth noting that the necessary infrastructure is already in place to support the transition to electric mobility.
Are there any new regulatory measures being implemented?
Yes, a new set of specifications is in the final drafting stage. Developed in collaboration with all sector stakeholders, it will allow young entrepreneurs and businesses to launch charging station projects for a fee.
This document will soon be published and represents a key step in regulating the sector and promoting investment.
Work is also underway to amend the regulations for fuel stations to allow them to install EV charging points.
In addition, in a joint effort by the Ministry of Trade and Export Development and the Ministry of Industry and Energy, electric vehicles have been exempted from the import quota system, with a dedicated quota allocated to this category.
This aims to help dealerships better assess market potential and respond to growing demand.
How will charging prices be set?
Charging tariffs will be unregulated and not fixed by the government.
As mentioned, the installation cost of a station depends on its capacity and current type. For instance a 100 kW station costs 400,000 dinars, while a 22 kW station costs a maximum of20,000 dinars.
Charging times will also vary** depending on the station’s approved capacity.
Has the integration of EVs into public companies’ fleets really begun? What is the estimated cost?
Yes, ANME has been tasked with purchasing electric cars for 70 public companies.
The funding will come from their budgets, with additional support from the Energy Transition Fund, for an extra cost of around 700,000 dinars.
Each car is expected to cost about 75,000 dinars and a call for tenders will be launched soon.
Are electric vehicles now accessible to the average citizen?
Yes. Fiscal incentives have played a major role in curbing the rise in import prices for electric vehicles.
Where are Tunisia’s electric vehicles imported from?
Over 75% are imported from EU countries, followed by **South Korea, China, and the United States.
Is there training and maintenance preparation?
Yes. Car dealerships are required to provide EV maintenance specialists and the agency is working on integrating specialized training in vocational training centers.
What role does local industry play in this new ecosystem?
Tunisia has globally renowned industrial companies in the automotive components sector.
We already have factories producing cables for EVs, and we’re looking to attract investment for local production of charging units, especially since incentives for local manufacturing have been in place since 2021.
Tunisia has the potential to position itself industrially in the EV sector and many Tunisian industrial firms are preparing to launch new electric vehicle production lines
How do you see the future of electric mobility in Tunisia?
Electric mobility in Tunisia is expected to accelerate significantly, with a rapid transformation of the market, in line with global developments.
The next three years will likely be decisive for the future of the sector.
