Tunisia launches pilot project for electric taxis in three cities

Tunisia is set to accelerate its transition to electric mobility in professional transport, particularly for taxis, which are significant energy consumers. Nafâa Baccari, director general of the National Agency for Energy Management (ANME), announced a pilot project for electric taxis in Bizerte, Sfax, and Djerba. This experiment will assess the economic and operational feasibility of electric mobility across different regions.

Electric taxis could significantly reduce operating costs. While a conventional taxi travels about 400 kilometers daily, an electric vehicle's daily operating cost is estimated at 15 dinars, compared to over 45 dinars for a gasoline-powered car. This substantial reduction aims to benefit professional drivers.

To facilitate this shift, Tunisia's finance law includes incentives. Taxi drivers and driving schools can receive a 3-point interest rate subsidy on loans for electric vehicle purchases, managed through the Tunisian Solidarity Bank (BTS) and funded by the Energy Transition Fund. These measures are designed to lower financing costs and encourage the gradual renewal of professional fleets with electric vehicles.

The initiative also extends to driving schools, which will receive similar financial and tax benefits due to their high vehicle usage. This broader strategy aligns with Tunisia's goals to reduce energy consumption and improve its energy and trade balance. While private electric taxi initiatives exist, they are currently limited, and the government aims to structure a larger-scale, more organized transition.

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These measures aim to reduce the cost of access to financing and encourage the gradual renewal of professional fleets towards electric.