Turkey's Electric Car Market Booms Ahead of EU Peers
In a stunning reversal, Turkey has caught up with European Union countries in the adoption rate of electric vehicles (EVs), with EVs now making up 16.7% of new car sales in the country, just behind the EU's 17.4%. The move is seen as a significant development, not only for Turkey but also globally, as emerging markets from Uruguay to Vietnam are increasingly embracing fossil-fuel-free transportation.
In 2016, buying an EV was a rare occurrence in Turkey, with only 44 people purchasing battery electric vehicles that year. However, by the time Berke AstarcΔ±oΔlu bought a Tesla in 2023, BEVs had become more mainstream, accounting for 7% of new car sales. Two years later, this trend has continued, with EVs now accounting for nearly 17% of new car sales.
Analysts attribute Turkey's electric vehicle boom to its special consumption tax, which left electric cars only slightly more expensive than comparable petrol cars. This disparity made EVs an attractive option for consumers, who were also drawn by lower running costs and the environmental benefits of displacing fossil fuel-burning cars.
The Turkish government's lack of a dedicated electric vehicle strategy has not hindered the growth of the market. In fact, the country has championed a domestic carmaker, Togg, which in 2024 overtook Tesla as the leading EV seller. Togg's entry into the market was buoyed by tax support and zero-interest credit from state-owned banks, making electric vehicles more accessible to buyers.
Foreign carmakers have also benefited from Turkey's favorable tax system, with manufacturers such as Tesla reducing motor power in Turkey to fall into the same tax bracket. China's BYD is also planning to build a $1 billion factory in Turkey, further fueling the growth of the EV market.
However, experts caution that the recent surge in BEV sales may not be sustainable without changes to the country's tax policies. The current tax burden on electric cars remains high, with the total tax applied to electric cars reaching 50% and rising to 86%. Without adjustments, inflation and exchange rates could soon shrink the number of affordable BEVs, making them less accessible to consumers.
The transition to electric mobility has significant implications for Turkey's car fleet, which is expected to quadruple in size by 2053. This would send demand for oil imports soaring, heightening Turkey's exposure to external shocks, price volatility, and geopolitical risks.
In a stunning reversal, Turkey has caught up with European Union countries in the adoption rate of electric vehicles (EVs), with EVs now making up 16.7% of new car sales in the country, just behind the EU's 17.4%. The move is seen as a significant development, not only for Turkey but also globally, as emerging markets from Uruguay to Vietnam are increasingly embracing fossil-fuel-free transportation.
In 2016, buying an EV was a rare occurrence in Turkey, with only 44 people purchasing battery electric vehicles that year. However, by the time Berke AstarcΔ±oΔlu bought a Tesla in 2023, BEVs had become more mainstream, accounting for 7% of new car sales. Two years later, this trend has continued, with EVs now accounting for nearly 17% of new car sales.
Analysts attribute Turkey's electric vehicle boom to its special consumption tax, which left electric cars only slightly more expensive than comparable petrol cars. This disparity made EVs an attractive option for consumers, who were also drawn by lower running costs and the environmental benefits of displacing fossil fuel-burning cars.
The Turkish government's lack of a dedicated electric vehicle strategy has not hindered the growth of the market. In fact, the country has championed a domestic carmaker, Togg, which in 2024 overtook Tesla as the leading EV seller. Togg's entry into the market was buoyed by tax support and zero-interest credit from state-owned banks, making electric vehicles more accessible to buyers.
Foreign carmakers have also benefited from Turkey's favorable tax system, with manufacturers such as Tesla reducing motor power in Turkey to fall into the same tax bracket. China's BYD is also planning to build a $1 billion factory in Turkey, further fueling the growth of the EV market.
However, experts caution that the recent surge in BEV sales may not be sustainable without changes to the country's tax policies. The current tax burden on electric cars remains high, with the total tax applied to electric cars reaching 50% and rising to 86%. Without adjustments, inflation and exchange rates could soon shrink the number of affordable BEVs, making them less accessible to consumers.
The transition to electric mobility has significant implications for Turkey's car fleet, which is expected to quadruple in size by 2053. This would send demand for oil imports soaring, heightening Turkey's exposure to external shocks, price volatility, and geopolitical risks.
turkey is killing the game with electric cars!!! i love how they made it affordable with special consumption tax 
its like every country should do that. and togg taking over as top ev seller is a huge deal 
we need more brands to follow suit and make evs accessible to everyone! 
. But with inflation and exchange rates on the rise, we gotta keep an eye on how these tax policies play out. If they don't get adjusted, it could become a major issue down the line 
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they're like totally catching up with the eu now! i mean 16.7% of new car sales are electric which is insane 
i remember back in 2016 only like 44 people bought evs that year and now it's crazy to see how far we've come 
and its just a win-win all around 
they're catching up fast with eu countries and it's awesome 
but seriously its crazy how far they've come in just a few years. like what other country is gonna catch up with the EU that fast? 
. Turkey's been working hard to get its EV game on track and it's actually paying off! 
. And what about Tesla? They're not even giving up their profits to compete with Togg, they just reduce motor power to fit into the same tax bracket... shady