Medianews.az site has recently imported to Azerbaijan electric cars running on electric current, the level of demand for them, how cost-effective electric cars are, and other related issues, interviewing Eyyub Aliyev, Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan Automobile Dealers Association. We present the interview to the attention of our readers.
- What is the level of demand for electric cars in our country?
- After the customs and VAT exemptions applied in our country in the last two years, interest in electric cars increased. However, despite the increase in interest, because the development of infrastructure could not maintain the same pace, many people gave up the idea of buying an electric car. Nevertheless, currently in Azerbaijan – both in the capital and in the regions – there are electric cars. It is also possible to travel comfortably to our liberated territories with an electric car. We can now confidently set out on the road in electric cars. It is just necessary to plan properly before the trip in order not to waste a lot of time and avoid having to search door-to-door for charging stations afterward.
Currently, although a stagnation is observed in the sales dynamics of electric cars compared to previous years, there is still a sufficient number of people interested in this technology and waiting for newer models to enter the market. Undoubtedly, in the last two years, interest in hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars has surpassed that for electric cars. It should be noted that this trend coincides with the period when electric cars first arrived in our country and the exemptions for them were introduced. At that time, because the infrastructure was weak, people turned more to hybrid models.
Nevertheless, now a good infrastructure has been built in the country and it is not standing still, but is continuously developing. Thanks to the steps taken by both the private sector and "Azerishiq" in this direction, the network is constantly expanding. Although the current sales figures are not yet satisfactory, there are great hopes for the future.
- Are electric cars really cost-effective, or is this just a fleeting shine of a global trend?
- Certainly, they are cost-effective. Considering that the monthly cost of commuting within the city is only 20-25 manats, at most 40 manats, it is clear that electric cars save up to 10 times on fuel compared to internal combustion engine (petrol) cars. Of course, these figures may vary depending on the brand and model of the car.
- It is said that in the second-hand market, the price of electric cars falls faster compared to traditional cars. What is the reason?
- The formation of the second-hand market naturally requires some time. Currently, in this market prices are not at the level sellers want and where they would not suffer losses, but this is an issue that will be resolved over time.
- Compared to traditional cars, approximately what percentage cheaper is the annual service cost of an electric car?
- When an electric car is purchased from official dealers, a special technical inspection and repair regulation is provided. If the car is serviced timely and properly according to this regulation, serious damage or additional repair costs are impossible. However, if the car is bought through unofficial channels, that is, from individual sellers, drivers have to visit various mechanics unsystematically and often encounter non-professional services. This inevitably leads to additional expenses. In short, when a car is purchased from the official representative of the manufacturer in Azerbaijan, the risk of facing serious problems is minimized.
- What should drivers pay attention to in order to extend the battery life, and is partial battery repair possible, or should it be completely replaced if a problem arises?
- When official dealers sell electric cars, they provide the driver with special instructions and maintenance guidelines for longer battery life. These include important recommendations on the percentage range at which the battery should be charged and when it should be disconnected from charging. The reality is that depending on weather conditions (summer-winter regimes) and the driver’s driving dynamics, the car may travel less distance than the manufacturer’s stated range (for example, 500 km), which is completely normal.
- How suitable are the customs and tax exemptions applied to the import of electric cars to our country in terms of savings for the individual buyer’s budget?
- The exemptions and incentives applied in our country for environmentally friendly vehicles play an important role in the population acquiring these types of cars and in renewing the country’s vehicle fleet. This is a very positive trend. In fact, a large portion of our taxi fleet has been renewed precisely through hybrid cars. Although the state’s step results in some reduction of budget revenues, thanks to the long-standing exemptions applied, people are able to bring new cars. As a result, even low-income families gain the opportunity to benefit from modern, innovative, and environmentally friendly vehicles.
Nailə Qasımova,
Medianews.az