Kazakhstan Extends EV Zero-Tariff Policy to 2028, Chinese OEMs Reap Policy Dividends

1. Policy Core Content

On May 18, 2026, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Trade issued a decree: zero import tariffs on EVs (BEV, PHEV, EREV) are extended through December 31, 2028. The original policy was scheduled to expire at the end of 2026.

Accompanying measures: - Charging infrastructure subsidy: 3 million tenge (~48,000 CNY) per new fast-charging pile - Corporate purchase incentives: 3-year property tax exemption for legal entities buying EVs - Localization requirement: From 2027, zero-tariff vehicles must complete at least 15% value-added services in Kazakhstan

2. Market Impact Calculation

Combined with VAT exemptions, Chinese EV terminal prices in Kazakhstan will drop by 15-20%. Taking BYD Song PLUS DM-i as an example, the current price of ~18.5 million tenge (~296,000 CNY) is expected to fall to 15.5-16.5 million tenge.

Price competitiveness comparison (Kazakhstan market): - Chinese EVs (BYD, Chery, Changan): 15.5-22 million tenge - Korean Hyundai/Kia hybrids: 28-35 million tenge - Japanese ICE vehicles: 25-32 million tenge - European ICE vehicles: 35-50 million tenge

3. Chinese Brand Acceleration

BYD has expanded to 3 Almaty 4S stores, planning to cover all 14 Kazakh regional centers by end-2026. Chery's joint venture with Allur Group has boosted capacity to 100,000 units annually. Changan established its Central Asia regional headquarters in Astana, covering Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.

4. Infrastructure Bottlenecks and Breakthroughs

Kazakhstan spans 2.72 million km² with just 20 million people. The current charger-to-vehicle ratio is about 18:1, far higher than China's 3:1. But subsidy policies are changing this: Q1 2026 new charging piles grew 340% YoY, and the Almaty-Astana highway fast-charging corridor is now essentially complete.

5. Outlook

The policy extension provides Chinese OEMs with a valuable two-year window. Export enterprises should prioritize three things during this period: establishing regional parts centers, training local after-sales teams, and partnering with local financial institutions for installment plans. EX1000.COM will continue tracking automotive import policy changes across Central Asia, offering first-hand policy interpretation and market access support.