In Egypt, in 2026, electromobility remains more of a project than a market. Despite a proliferation of announcements over the past few years, the country has not yet reached the point of significant adoption of electric vehicles. In contrast, the overall automotive market is clearly on the rise again. This contrast between the recovery in sales of combustion-engine vehicles and the stagnation of electric vehicles sums up the current situation in Egypt: an ecosystem undergoing reconstruction, but still a long way from an effective transition.
A car market that is recovering strongly, but still largely dominated by petrol and diesel vehicles
The Egyptian car market saw a sharp rebound in 2025, with 133,973 passenger cars sold, representing a 64% increase compared with 2024. This momentum continued into 2026, with a 38.7% year-on-year increase in January.
This recovery confirms that the market is gradually regaining liquidity after several years of economic strain. However, this growth remains almost entirely driven by internal combustion engines and traditional imports.
In the absence of up-to-date data on electric vehicles, the main players in the market remain those in the internal combustion engine sector. In 2024, Nissan led the way with a 15.9% market share, ahead of Chery (13.4%), Chevrolet (12.2%), Hyundai (11.4%) and Toyota (9.2%).
Electric mobility will still be in its infancy in 2026
In 2026, the situation remains unchanged: electric vehicles are still extremely rare in Egypt.
Unlike the European or Asian markets, Egypt still does not have a structured ranking of the best-selling electric vehicles in 2026. The market remains too fragmented and too small to produce reliable statistics.
The projections made between 2022 and 2023, which predicted a fleet of 40,000 to 50,000 electric vehicles by 2025, have not been borne out by the actual data.
Similarly, Shift EV plans to convert 100,000 internal combustion vehicles (the same project as Phoenix Mobility in France), including 80,000 vans and 20,000 people carriers. There is no public record to demonstrate that these conversion targets have been met.
However, several key players are playing a prominent role in the sector’s gradual development:
- El Nasr Automotive Manufacturing, with the Nasr E70 project developed in collaboration with Dongfeng
- BAIC, through Alkan Auto, with a planned production capacity of 20,000 vehicles per year at the outset
- XPENG, via Raya Auto, specialises in import and assembly
- initiatives involving Geely and Foton, particularly in the field of electric buses and commercial vehicles
In this context, Egypt does not yet have a structured consumer market, but rather an ecosystem that is still taking shape, centred on industrial projects and foreign partnerships.
A charging infrastructure that remains very limited despite a detailed strategy
The charging network remains one of the main structural barriers. According to Electromaps, there are around 53 charging stations across the country, which is a very low number for a country with a population of over 100 million.
In response to this delay, the government has been working with the Egyptian electric vehicle charging station company responsible for the nationwide roll-out of the network. The stated aim is to install 3,000 charging points, spread across major cities and key transport routes.
At the same time, the authorities are working on smart charging solutions, gradually integrating digital technologies and international safety standards. However, by 2026, the network remains heavily concentrated in major urban areas such as Cairo, and there is still a significant gap between the target and actual deployment.
Furthermore, the electrification of transport is taking place against a backdrop of energy constraints. In July 2025, Egypt’s electricity grid reached a peak of 37,600 MW, highlighting the significant strain on generation capacity during peak periods.
This situation poses a major challenge: the rise of electric mobility will have to be integrated into an energy system that is already under significant strain, without causing any structural imbalance.
An industrial strategy built around international partnerships
Contrary to popular belief, Egypt does in fact have an industrial strategy, and it is based on concrete projects.
The most significant development is the agreement between BAIC and Alkan Auto, which provides for the construction of an electric vehicle factory featuring:
- a capacity of 20,000 vehicles in the first year
- up to 50,000 vehicles over five years
- a local integration rate of up to 58%
Another key project: the relaunch of El Nasr Automotive Manufacturing in partnership with Dongfeng, centred on the Nasr E70 model, with the aim of establishing production of electric vehicles “made in Egypt”.
At the same time, projects involving Stellantis have also been announced, representing an investment of around $35 million, confirming the commitment to attracting international manufacturers.
A transition driven in part by the state as a direct participant
Despite the challenges involved in developing electric mobility, since 2026 the government’s strategy has taken a further step forward: the integration of electric vehicles into public fleets.
Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has ordered preparations to begin for the gradual replacement of government vehicles with electric models.
This decision forms part of a wider strategy to modernise public transport, aimed at:
- reduce fuel imports
- improve the government’s energy efficiency
- serve as an initial catalyst for the uptake of electric vehicles
The government thus becomes not only a regulator, but also the electricity market’s leading potential customer. And in those countries where EVs are struggling to gain a foothold, the government is setting a good example.
Real incentives
From an economic perspective, Egypt has chosen to prioritise supporting the development of an industry rather than simply offering a purchase subsidy to private individuals.
The government has set a local content target of at least 45% for electric vehicles produced domestically and announced subsidies of around 50,000 Egyptian pounds for the first 100,000 locally manufactured electric cars. Added to this is a policy of opening up to imports, with customs exemptions for certain electric vehicles less than three years old, in order to lower the cost of entry into a market that is still in its infancy.
Put simply, the Egyptian government is not merely trying to stimulate demand: it is simultaneously seeking to develop the supply, infrastructure and economic conditions of an electricity market that is still in its infancy.
A transition that is still in its early stages
Egypt is not yet a market for electric vehicles. It is an automotive market in recovery, which is seeking to gradually incorporate electric vehicles through industrial projects, international partnerships and increasing government intervention.
But in 2026, the picture remains clear: the transition is well under way, but it is still in its early stages, with a significant gap between political ambitions and implementation on the ground.
