Business news

SOCHI, 14 May (BelTA) – The infrastructure to charge electric cars may be created in Belarus within two years, BelTA learned from Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Vladimir Semashko during the Atomexpo forum in Sochi on 14 May.

“The draft presidential decree is ready. It is being reviewed. It is possible to create such infrastructure within the next two years,” believes Vladimir Semashko. Electricity generated by the Belarusian nuclear power plant will be in demand as part of this project. Belorusneft Company is expected to set up the chain of charging stations.

Speaking about the production of electric cars in Belarus, the deputy prime minister said it needed to be created. The Belarusian-Chinese car manufacturer BelGee is the likely venue. At the same time making electric cars is not the top priority for now. It is necessary to get the car factory up and running at full capacity in order to achieve the designed output and sales figures. However, the production of electric cars in Belarus is possible in the future and the Chinese partners agree with that. Vladimir Semashko said he had been able to test a Chinese electric car as he visited a Geely factory in China. “As a driver with a long track record I liked the car. It was very dynamic,” he said.

BelGee’s output and sales figures have increased since the beginning of the year. In January-March 2018 the factory made and sold 262 cars. As many as 507 cars were made and sold in March. “By the way, it is a paradox situation: the buyers want expensive models with maximum options. The figure reached 910 cars in April,” added the deputy prime minister.

If BelGee works well, the matter of making electric cars in Belarus may be raised (Vladimir Semashko believes it may happen in a year) and the Chinese partners agree with that. Vladimir Semashko said he had been able to test a Chinese electric car as he visited a Geely factory in China. “As a driver with a long track record I liked the car. It was very dynamic,” he said.