Ethiopia Unveils First Locally-Assembled Electric Car

Ethiopia on Monday launched the first locally-assembled electric car in yet another green economy initiative by the East African nation.

The electric car was presented to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed by former Olympic champion and 10,000m runner Haile Gebrselassie.

The car was assembled by the Marathon Motor Engineering Company, a joint venture between Ethiopia’s legendary former Olympic champion and 10,000m runner Haile Gebrselassie and South Korean car manufacturer Hyundai.

Reports suggest that the electric car can go for more than 250 kilometres once fully charged. The vehicle can be charged anywhere and does not need charging at terminal, in addition to it not giving out emissions.

Prime Minister Abiy hailed the development as part of his administration’s efforts to transform greening and climate resilient aspirations into tangible results.

“As we transform Ethiopia’s greening & climate resilient aspirations into concrete actions through the #GreenLegacy initiative, this morning I received the first electric car fully assembled in Ethiopia. No emission cars can help reduce pollution,” Abiy tweeted.

Marathon Motor Engineering, whose plant was commissioned in March this year, has the capability of producing about 10,000 cars annually, according to local media reports. [ africa.cgtn.com ]