Chinese hybrid and electric vehicles prices increased in Kazakhstan

The automotive market of Kazakhstan is currently experiencing a notable convergence of trends. While the Ministry of Energy addresses a surge in consumer grievances regarding substandard gasoline, demand and market prices for Chinese hybrids and electric vehicles (EVs) have trended upward. Simultaneously, owners of South Korean and Japanese crossovers are increasingly divesting from their vehicles.

Market participants have been monitoring this trend for several weeks. Consumers are changing such models as the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento, and Toyota RAV4 to hybrid models from Li Auto, BYD, and Deepal.

Consequently, sellers of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles are forced to discount their inventory, whereas owners of Chinese New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) are demanding higher premiums.

On August 25, the Minister of Energy, Yerlan Akkenzhenov, addressed driver complaints regarding AI-95 and AI-98 grade fuels. According to the Minister, a Deputy Minister conducted a field inspection at the Pavlodar Oil Chemistry Refinery (POCR) alongside representatives from the Committee for Technical Regulation and Metrology. The mission aimed to collect fuel samples and audit production processes for potential regulatory non-compliance.

During 2026, the Committee for Technical Regulation and Metrology conducted 55 inspections of retail fuel stations, though only 22 fuel samples were selected for laboratory analysis. In three instances, laboratory testing confirmed violations regarding octane ratings and sulfur content. However, government agencies have yet to identify the definitive cause of the widespread mechanical failures reported by motorists.

EV Fleet Operators View Crisis as a Market Opportunity

Sanjar Askarov, an importer and owner of a major electric taxi fleet, has explicitly linked the fuel quality crisis to the growth prospects of the EV sector in Kazakhstan. In his view, Kazakhstani citizens may be undergoing a "forced transition" to electric vehicles due to the sharp decline in fuel quality, rather than a purely elective technological preference.

Mr. Askarov highlighted specific cases where clients' high-end imported vehicles suffered engine failure mid-transit following refueling. For the fleet operator, this situation serves as confirmation that dependence on volatile fuel quality has become a systemic risk for vehicle owners.

Market Valuation: Deepal S07

The average market price for a 2025 Deepal S07 is approximately 12.35 million tenge, while certain pre-owned units can be acquired for 10.5 million tenge.

Against the backdrop of the fuel quality crisis, user reviews from long-term Deepal S07 owners are particularly telling. Fuel consumption metrics vary significantly: one owner reports urban consumption at approximately 5.5–6 liters per 100 km, while another reports that at highway speeds of 140 km/h, consumption rises to 8.2 liters exceeding the manufacturer’s specified rating of 5 liters.