Chinese Brands Drive Fivefold Increase in Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Sales in Kazakhstan
From January to April 2026, sales of electric and hybrid vehicles in Kazakhstan surged nearly fivefold, primarily driven by Chinese brands expanding their market share and consumers shifting toward plug-in hybrid and extended-range electric vehicles better suited for the country’s long-distance travel and harsh climate conditions.
According to the Kazakh Automobile Union, a total of 2,122 new energy passenger vehicles were sold through official dealerships between January and April this year—almost five times more than the same period last year.
New energy vehicles (NEVs) include battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), which combine electric and conventional powertrain systems.
The majority of sales came from hybrid and extended-range models, totaling 1,499 units, while BEV sales reached 623 units. Demand was relatively modest at the beginning of the year, but saw particularly strong growth in March and April.
Analysts note that electric and hybrid vehicles are gradually moving beyond their niche status in Kazakhstan’s automotive market.
Anar Makashova, President of the Kazakh Automobile Union, said: "Today, more and more consumers are choosing plug-in hybrid and extended-range vehicles."
Makashova pointed out that these vehicle types offer many Kazakhstani consumers a balanced solution between fuel efficiency, driving range, and practicality.
This trend reflects broader developments in Kazakhstan’s automotive market: while pure electric vehicles remain attractive, they still face significant real-world limitations regarding charging infrastructure, winter performance, and long-distance intercity travel. Plug-in hybrids and extended-range models provide a lower-risk transition option for many consumers moving from traditional internal combustion engine vehicles to new energy vehicles.
Chinese automaker BYD emerged as the dominant player in Kazakhstan’s NEV market, with sales reaching 1,181 units—a 432% increase year-on-year. Li Auto ranked second with 384 units sold, followed by Geely Galaxy with 367 units. The top five also included Zeekr and ROX.
The best-selling model in this segment is the BYD Song Pro DM-i hybrid, which sold 413 units in the first four months of the year. The Geely Galaxy EX5 EM-i and BYD Chixiang followed closely. Other popular models include Li Auto L6 and BYD Yuan Up BEV.
In the conventional hybrid vehicle (HEV) segment, Toyota Camry remains the market leader, with 274 units sold through dealerships.
In contrast, Kazakhstan is projected to sell 4,242 NEVs in 2025, up from just 1,083 units in 2024.
These figures also reflect the overall growth of Kazakhstan’s automotive industry. In February this year, the Kazakh Automobile Union forecasted that after reaching 171,400 units in 2025, car production could exceed 209,000 units in 2026.
As electric and hybrid vehicles become increasingly common, the government is seeking ways to enhance visibility of this segment and streamline regulations.
Earlier reports by Central Asia Today indicated that Kazakhstan plans to introduce green license plates for electric vehicles to facilitate identification by traffic monitoring systems.
Source: Central Asia Today
Author: Dmitry Pokidayev
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1866518806532232/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.