Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A representative of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan, Davron Vakhobov, expressed support for the proposal to introduce customs duties on electric vehicles.

In July, the General Director of ADM Jizzakh Automobile Plant, Daniyar Davletiyarov, proposed the introduction of duties and certification for the import of electric vehicles. According to him, the car market is overheated and saturated, requiring regulation of the import of ready-made cars, especially those imported by individuals.

Davletiyarov also emphasized that the production of electric vehicles in Uzbekistan is economically unfeasible due to the absence of customs duties, making production more expensive due to the need to pay duties on imported parts and components.

Commenting on this proposal, Davron Vakhobov noted that the idea received negative reactions online, with concerns being raised about the potential creation of a monopoly in the country. He also mentioned that in developed countries, customs duties on electric vehicles are common.

Vakhobov cited the example of the United States, where the duty on electric vehicles from China is 102% due to non-compliance with standards and the lack of dealers in the country. In the EU, the duty on Chinese cars is 38.1%, in Türkiye – 50%, and in Brazil – up to 10%, with plans to increase it to 35% by 2026.

He also pointed out that after duties were introduced in Türkiye, BYD agreed to build a $1 billion plant, which will create opportunities for the training of highly qualified personnel.

The head of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry noted that some former employees of the UzAuto Motors plant are now working in Germany, earning between €3,000 and €5,000.

Vakhobov also compared the scale of car production in Uzbekistan and Türkiye: in 2024, 430,000 cars were produced in Uzbekistan, while Türkiye produced 1.1 million.

He added that Türkiye has a vehicle tax that averages 100% of the market value, depending on engine size, and there is also a luxury tax of 37%.

"Is Türkiye not a developed country for protecting its market in this way?" Vakhobov asked, adding that he fully supports the entrepreneur’s proposal. "If we develop this industry, we will have thousands of manufacturers," he concluded.