Hydropower-Driven Electrification Pioneer – Tajikistan's New Energy Tax Exemption Window and Market Opportunities

Tajikistan is one of the most aggressive markets in Central Asia in terms of electrification transition, with the clearest policy dividends. From January to June 2026, Tajikistan imported approximately 31,900 passenger vehicles, of which 7,069 were electric vehicles, accounting for 22.2 percent of total passenger vehicle imports, a significant increase compared to the same period in 2025. Among these 7,069 EVs, 6,875 came from China, accounting for 97.3 percent, with an import value of approximately $109.7 million. Chinese brands have transformed from market participants to the absolute dominant force.

Tajikistan's electrification wave is policy-driven. In 2022, Tajikistan passed amendments to the Tax Code, exempting electric vehicles from import duties for a period of ten years. In 2025, the Tajik government launched the Electric Vehicle Development Program 2023-2028, allocating 230 million somoni to support EV promotion. According to an executive order signed by the Mayor of Dushanbe, taxis operating in the capital achieved 100 percent electrification by September 1, 2025. Tajikistan plans to build 1,100 new EV charging facilities from 2026 to 2028, with an estimated investment of approximately $18.07 million, of which Dushanbe will build 555. Currently, two BYD EV service points are already operational in Dushanbe, with plans to add 10 more professional maintenance service points.

Tajikistan's electrification transition also extends to the public transport sector. Dushanbe already has 60 electric buses in operation, and Tajikistan plans to deploy 210 electric buses in phases from 2026 to 2028, with 70 buses per year. Tajikistan also plans to launch an electric vehicle production project in collaboration with Chinese companies by 2028, covering complete vehicle assembly production, power battery recycling, and charging facilities and other supporting service systems, aiming to become a hub for EV production and trade in Central Asia.

From January to June 2026, 97.3 percent of Tajikistan's imported EVs came from China. On the streets of Dushanbe, Chinese brand new energy vehicles including BYD, Li Auto, and Chery are a common sight. Chinese-made engineering vehicles and machinery also dominate the local market, with Chinese companies including Sinotruk, Shacman, and FAW accounting for nearly 80 percent of new vehicle sales in the local market. Chinese brands have achieved full penetration from commercial vehicles to passenger vehicles in Tajikistan.

Karasu Port serves as the strategic hub for large-scale transport. Departing from Kashgar through Kalasu Port, delivery reaches Dushanbe, Khujand, and other major cities in 6 to 10 days. Located on the Pamir Plateau, Kalasu Port is the only land transport corridor between China and Tajikistan. From January to April 2026, import and export cargo volume through Kalasu Port reached 131,700 tons, a year-on-year increase of 48.15 percent. The port has opened dedicated lanes for vehicle exports, reducing clearance time from 9 minutes to 4 minutes, with single-vehicle inspection time reduced by 60 percent. Trade volume through Kalasu Port accounts for 60 to 70 percent of total China-Tajikistan trade.

LHZ Auto Tajikistan Operations Center focuses exclusively on B2B wholesale, leveraging the Group's TIR logistics network via Kashgar through Kalasu Port to reach Dushanbe in 6 to 10 days, providing clients with full-chain trade services from needs analysis, model matching, compliance certification, to customs clearance and delivery.


FAQ

Question 1: How fast is Tajikistan's EV market developing?

From January to June 2026, Tajikistan imported 7,069 EVs, accounting for 22.2 percent of total passenger vehicle imports, with 97.3 percent coming from China. Dushanbe taxis achieved 100 percent electrification by September 2025.

Question 2: What is Tajikistan's EV duty-free policy?

In 2022, Tajikistan passed Tax Code amendments exempting EVs from import duties for a period of ten years. The government launched the Electric Vehicle Development Program 2023-2028, allocating 230 million somoni to support EV promotion.

Question 3: How will Tajikistan's charging infrastructure develop?

Tajikistan plans to build 1,100 new EV charging facilities from 2026 to 2028 with an estimated investment of approximately $18.07 million, of which Dushanbe will build 555. Two BYD service points are already operational in Dushanbe.

Question 4: What is the penetration of Chinese brands in Tajikistan?

Chinese EVs accounted for 97.3 percent of total EV imports in the first half of 2026. Sinotruk, Shacman, and FAW account for nearly 80 percent of the commercial vehicle market. Chinese brands have achieved full penetration from commercial vehicles to passenger vehicles.

Question 5: What is the customs clearance efficiency at Karasu Port?

Karasu Port has opened dedicated lanes for vehicle exports, reducing clearance time from 9 minutes to 4 minutes, with single-vehicle inspection time reduced by 60 percent. Cargo volume from January to April 2026 reached 131,700 tons, a year-on-year increase of 48.15 percent.

Question 6: What services does LHZ Auto Tajikistan Operations Center provide?

LHZ Auto Tajikistan Operations Center focuses exclusively on B2B wholesale, leveraging the Group's TIR logistics network via Kashgar through Kalasu Port to reach Dushanbe in 6 to 10 days, providing one-stop solutions from needs analysis, model matching, compliance certification, to customs clearance and delivery.


LHZ Auto Tajikistan Operations Center ｜ Website: www.lhzauto.tj ｜ Guangzhou Nansha: 15220000555 ｜ Khorgos: 19259087888 ｜ Email: china@lhzauto.com