Sales of hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) in Kazakhstan are currently outperforming overall market growth. In this article El.kz reviews examines the evolving dynamics of consumer demand and market penetration.
Market acceleration
According to data released by the Kazakhstan Automobile Union, official dealerships sold 3,657 alternative energy vehicles (AEVs) during the first half (H1) of 2026.
This figure represents a significant increase compared to the same period last year. The market share of such vehicles currently accounts for approximately 3% of total new vehicle sales and continues to demonstrate an upward trajectory.
While internal combustion engine (ICE) models remain the cornerstone of the domestic market, demand is undergoing a visible redistribution in favor of alternative powertrains.
Hybrids outpace battery electric vehicles
In the early months of the year, dealers recorded the sale of 708 units in the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) segment. While this volume remains modest relative to the broader market, it marks a substantial year-on-year increase.
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) constituted the bulk of this volume, totaling 438 units. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) accounted for a smaller proportion of these sales.
A few years ago, consumers primarily identified sustainable transport with pure electric vehicles. Currently, however, interest is shifting toward hybrid models equipped with both internal combustion engines and electric motors. Hybrids offer the capacity for long-distance travel without reliance on external charging, making them the preferred choice for drivers in regions with underdeveloped charging infrastructure.
High-performance hybrid models offer fuel efficiency gains of up to 70% compared to conventional gasoline-powered SUVs.
Economic considerations and operating costs
The entry threshold for this segment remains high. In the Kazakhstani market, the Geely Galaxy EX5 EM-i hybrid SUV is priced from 11.4 mln tenge.
The most accessible models from BYD start at 10 million tenge, while the brand’s more advanced, high-specification versions exceed the 16 million tenge mark.
Nevertheless, electric vehicles remain the most cost-effective option for urban operation. A standard commuting distance costs approximately 800 tenge in electricity, whereas a gasoline-powered SUV incurs significantly higher fuel expenditures for the same distance.
Infrastructure Development: growth of the charging network
Data from the Ministry of Transport indicates that 62 electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS) are currently operational along Kazakhstan's primary national highways, spanning several regions.
The highest density of charging infrastructure is concentrated in the southern regions, specifically the Almaty and Zhambyl regions. Infrastructure is also being progressively deployed along the "Western Europe – Western China" international transit corridor.
By the end of 2026, an additional 27 stations are scheduled for construction along national highways. Under the current development roadmap, the network is projected to expand to 250 facilities nationwide by 2030.
