Fall in new car sales
However, the transition of the Lebanese market to the electric car, and its attempt to accompany the radical changes taking place in this sector, without too many obstacles, because Lebanon, which has been suffering from a suffocating economic crisis since the end of 2019 , is trying to adopt the “sustainable transport” option in 2023, despite the deterioration of new car sales in the country, from more than 23,000 cars at the end of 2019 to around 6,500 cars at the end of 2022, of which a very small percentage is powered by electricity.
Irregular transmission
Apart from the economic and financial reasons that led to the deterioration of new car sales in the country, Lebanon’s inability to achieve a smooth transition to the world of electric cars is linked to many other logistical elements, such as the poor basic infrastructure, with the scarcity of car charging stations, and the absence of after-sales technical support for maintenance work, in addition to the absence of a suitable system to repair certain types of cars due to random imports.
However, despite these obstacles, the Lebanese private sector is making a lot of effort to keep pace with this technological revolution, supported by certain incentive policies previously approved by the Lebanese government, by providing tax and customs exemptions for those who buy an electric car. .
random import
Mahasin Mursal, a journalist specializing in economic affairs, said in an interview with “Sky News Arabia Economy”, that electric cars offer a much better driving experience than traditional cars, and are more reliable and easier to maintain. but some random operations to import this type of car in Lebanon may harm this sector, pointing out that there are some entities that import certain types of electric cars, the import of which has been banned in other countries, due to the the inability of the manufacturers to provide them with a guarantee, and the absence of an appropriate system for their repair or for after-sales maintenance work.
Using the law to encourage competition
According to Mursal, what is happening is not related to large companies seeking to regulate the import of electric cars and provide the best maintenance conditions, but rather to certain actors who take advantage of the law on the promotion of competition passed by Lebanon last year, which allowed anyone to import any goods, a law whose provisions have not been fully implemented. She pointed out that many consumers buy these electric cars, not knowing what awaits them later in the event of a breakdown or accident.
Lebanon’s Weaknesses
Mursal adds that Lebanon suffers from weak basic infrastructure which electric cars need, with the scarcity of charging stations for cars, as this gap needs to be filled by the development of a government plan, forcing people concerned to provide more charging stations, in the hope that banks will resume their role in financing purchases of electric cars, providing loans to consumers, which helps to accelerate the country’s transition to the era of sustainable transport, as it is currently impossible for Lebanon to set a precise date for the abandonment of traditional cars.
Switch to the electric car despite the crisis
For his part, Simon Abi Rashed, Sales Director of Bassoul and Hanina Group, the agents of BMW and Renault in Lebanon, said in an interview with “Economy Sky News Arabia” that the Lebanese market has started the process of transitioning cars traditional cars towards environmentally friendly cars several years ago, through so-called hybrid cars, which combine a gasoline engine and an electric motor, but the economic crisis to which the country was exposed, in over the spread of the Covid-19 epidemic, were two main factors hampering efforts to achieve a quantum leap in this direction, between 2020 and 2022, but these efforts resumed in 2023, despite the still difficult economic situation in the country.
Incentives to own an electric car
Abi Rashed adds that the Lebanese state has approved many tax exemptions that encourage the ownership of an electric car, and these incentives are complemented by major brands in the automotive industry, which offer a guarantee for the car’s battery that can up to 8 years, in addition to free maintenance work for up to 6 years, and a warranty on the car for up to 3 years, inviting those who wish to own an electric car to make sure of all these points before taking the step of buying.
Abi Rashed confirms that there is a global trend to ban the production of conventional cars in the next ten years, stressing that Lebanon will not be left out of this transformation, despite some challenges that must be overcome to increase dependence on electricity. regard to electric cars, especially the economic crisis. crisis it is currently going through.
Reduce energy expenditure
In turn, Selven Govender, Mercedes-Benz Sales and Customer Service Manager in the Middle East and North Africa region, said in an interview with “Economy Sky News Arabia” that encouraging the Purchasing electric cars contributes to more economic development, reducing energy expenditure, highlighting that there is great interest among Lebanese in electric cars, and the Lebanese market is expected to experience significant volume growth. sales over the next few years.
Govender believes that electric cars will become economically feasible day by day for different populations around the world.
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