Energy
Azerbaijan's EV imports fall 39% in first half even as car market grows
July 23, 2026
Min
Azerbaijan's imports of electric vehicles fell 39 percent in volume and 52 percent in value in the first half of 2026 compared with a year earlier, according to customs data reported by regional media — a sharp reversal for a segment that had been one of the fastest-growing corners of the country's auto market.
The slump stands out because the broader car market has continued to grow, with overall vehicle imports rising even as the electric segment contracted. The steeper fall in value than in volume also points to a shift toward cheaper models — the average imported EV cost noticeably less than a year ago, consistent with Chinese manufacturers' aggressive pricing across the Caspian region. Among the half-year's curiosities: the first electric vehicle ever imported from Poland, valued at $36,400.
The pullback comes at an awkward moment for Baku's green agenda. The government has championed renewable energy — targeting 6 GW of capacity by 2030 — and positioned electrified transport as part of the diversification story. Customs chief Shahin Baghirov has said authorities will conduct a full assessment of hybrid and electric import trends at the end of 2026, a review that could shape tariff and incentive policy for the segment.
Market watchers point to saturation among early adopters, charging-infrastructure gaps outside the capital, and the popularity of hybrids — which dominate Azerbaijan's car imports — as the likelier culprits than any cooling of consumer interest in new technology.
