The Royal Government of Cambodia has committed to a significant shift towards electric vehicles (EVs), aiming for 35 per cent electric cars, 40 per cent electric buses, and 70 per cent electric motorcycles by 2050. This initiative is part of the country’s broader strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with the transportation sector being a major contributor to pollution. The Ministry of Public Works and Transport, in collaboration with the Global Green Growth Institute, is promoting the adoption of electric motorcycles as a key step towards achieving these goals.
The transition to electric motorcycles is expected to reduce the operating costs of electric motorcycles because they have few moving parts and do not require oil changes as ICE motorcycles do. The operating cost per 100 km of an electric motorcycle is roughly 8 times lower than that of an ICE motorcycle. As of November 2024, Cambodia had registered 2,327 EVs, with popular brands including BYD, Toyota and Tesla. The government is focusing on gradual adoption, especially in urban areas, where motorcycles are the primary mode of transport.