Ghana’s EV Revolution: Home Charging, Big Savings, and a Cleaner Future

The General Manager for Automobile Sales at EV-Afriq, Delali Fiah Greenstock, is calling on government to reduce the tax burden on electric vehicles to help boost the industry in Ghana. Speaking in an interview with Business Outlook Africa on the cost and implications of electric vehicles, Greenstock explained that dealers currently pay as much as 50 percent in duty and clearing charges when importing EVs into the country. According to her, these high charges significantly increase the cost of electric vehicles, making them less affordable for many potential buyers. She noted that government intervention to reduce these taxes would help make EVs more accessible and encourage greater adoption of electric vehicles in Ghana. “One major area where we need government input is the taxes. So far, the duty and clearing charges on electric vehicles are huge.As compared to the..EVs are still categorised as luxury vehicles. So we’re paying up to 50% and above on duty and clearing charges.And this is an area that we feel that if government intervenes, then a lot more people would be able to adopt EVs. “ Greenstock, then praised Ghanaian banks for the introduction of green financing schemes for the purchase of electric vehicles urging banks to further reduce interest rates to make electric vehicles more affordable and accessible. “ Banks, for now, you would be amazed to know that most of the banks are coming up with green financing. So yes, that’s a step in the right direction.They’re offering very low interest rates for clients that want to purchase EVs. Obviously, because they also have sustainability goals. You know, so that is the contribution they’re making to the EV segment, which is very laudable.We’re hoping that they’re able to drop the rates much further down so that many, many more people will be able to adopt the EVs.” She also encouraged Ghanaians to make the switch to electric vehicles, explaining that the EVs are not only affordable but also saves users about 70 percent compared the cost (ie. fuel and maintenance) of using a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. “To own an electric car currently, you will be spending about GHc 200,000,to a million Ghana Cedis, depending on how luxurious you’re feeling. So, you can see that there is a budget for every pocket. EV’s are able to cater for every budget.”she stated “Without exaggerating the overall cost of ownership of an electric vehicle will save everybody about 70% of the amount they spend if they were using an ICE Vehicle and not just on fuel. It will save you cost on fuel and it will also save you cost on maintenance.” She added She added that Ghanaians will no longer have to worry soo much about public charging stations explaining that the new models of EVs now come with portable home chargers which doesn’t cost so much to charge. “So I don’t, people do not now have to go to the charging stations anymore. Not at all. We’ve moved beyond that.We’ve moved beyond that. You can charge at home. This is how the charging unit looks like.Very small, but very efficient. Okay.Now on your ECG metre, you will spend an average of GHC 120 to GHc 150 to give your car a full charge.Now this amount would actually take you about a week.So for instance, this vehicle is 610 kilometres. Okay. If I charge the full 100 at GHc 150.Yes, you get a range of 610 kilometres.Now that means that this vehicle will take you to Kumasi and back. And even leave you with something.That is how amazing EVs are.”She explained You can watch the full conversation here: