Government cars go electric as Hichilema restores fuel duty

LUSAKA, October 11, 2026. President Hakainde Hichilema has announced that all government institutions will now acquire only electric vehicles. He made the announcement on Friday, October 9, while opening the First Session of the Fourteenth National Assembly. He said conflicts abroad have made global fuel supply unstable. The change is meant to cut demand for fuel. The President also confirmed that government has restored excise duty on fuel this month. Government had earlier removed fuel taxes temporarily to hold down pump prices. He said the money is needed for free education, the Constituency Development Fund and social cash transfers. He said the Energy Regulation Board’s monthly fuel pricing mechanism will be reviewed. He added that he personally does not like it. On supply, he said existing fuel depots in Chipata, Lusaka, Mansa, Mpika, Mongu, Ndola and Solwezi will be fully used. A fuel blending strategy will go ahead to cut the import bill and support local ethanol. Pipelines linking Zambia with Angola, Namibia, Tanzania and Zimbabwe are being expanded. Restoring the duty means pump prices may rise. The cost of ministry vehicles, charging and servicing was not explained in the coverage I found.