Uzbekistan Sees Sevenfold Surge in EV Imports in Q1

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The composition of passenger car imports into Uzbekistan changed dramatically in the first quarter of 2026. The total value of imported vehicles reached US$369.8 million, compared with US$115.3 million during the same period in 2025, a 220.5% increase, according to the State Customs Committee of Uzbekistan.

The primary driver of growth was fully electric vehicles. In Q1 2025, 2,664 electric cars were imported, valued at US$31.3 million. In the same period of 2026, this number surged to 16,363 units worth US$230.8 million, representing a 514% increase in volume and a 637% rise in value. Electric vehicles now account for over 62% of total passenger car imports.

Hybrid vehicles combining gasoline and electric engines showed even more striking growth. In the first three months of 2026, 1,856 hybrids worth US$59.3 million were imported, compared with just 95 units valued at US$2.9 million in Q1 2025 — a 1,854% increase in volume and 1,966% in value.

Imports of traditional gasoline cars remained nearly unchanged, with 3,995 units worth US$78.3 million in Q1 2026, slightly down from 4,137 units valued at US$81.1 million the previous year, marking minor decreases of 3.4% in volume and 3.5% in value.

Diesel car imports remain minimal but recorded noticeable growth: from 2 units worth US$42,500 in Q1 2025 to 16 units valued at US$1.4 million in Q1 2026 — an eightfold increase in volume and 33-fold rise in value.

This shift highlights the rapidly growing adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles in Uzbekistan and signals a significant transformation in the country’s automotive market.