By Abbas Nazil
Kyrgyzstan has announced plans to install ten electric vehicle charging stations across the Issyk-Kul region, the country’s most important tourist destination and home to Lake Issyk-Kul and the popular ski resort city of Karakol.
The project will be carried out by state-owned energy company Chakan GES OJSC with the support of the Ministry of Energy as part of efforts to promote clean transportation and strengthen tourism infrastructure.
Officials say the new charging stations are designed to support the growing number of electric vehicles in the country while encouraging environmentally friendly travel in one of Kyrgyzstan’s busiest regions.
Two charging stations will be installed in Karakol, the administrative center of Issyk-Kul region and a major tourist hub.
Another two stations will be located in Cholpon-Ata, the region’s main resort town along the northern shore of Lake Issyk-Kul.
Balykchy, an important transport gateway to the lake, will also receive two charging stations.
Single stations will be placed in the villages of Bokonbaevo and Kyzyl-Suu, while two more will be installed in Tyup district to ensure coverage across the region.
All ten stations are expected to become operational later this year, according to government officials.
The expansion comes as the number of electric vehicles in Kyrgyzstan continues to rise steadily.
First Deputy Prime Minister Daniyar Amangeldiev revealed that more than 200 electric vehicles are currently being imported into the country every day under a value-added tax exemption policy.
As a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, Kyrgyzstan also benefits from an annual quota that allows up to 15,000 electric vehicles to be imported duty-free.
Despite the rapid growth in imports, electric vehicles still represent a small fraction of the national vehicle fleet.
Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision Meder Mashiev said that by early 2026 Kyrgyzstan had over 1.9 million registered vehicles, marking a 13 percent increase compared to 2024.
Out of this total, nearly one million vehicles run on gasoline, while hundreds of thousands operate on diesel, gas, or hybrid systems.
Electric vehicles account for only about 0.8 percent of all registered vehicles, estimated at roughly 15,200 units nationwide.
The government views infrastructure development as essential to accelerating the shift toward cleaner transport.
Authorities are also working to localize electric vehicle assembly as part of a broader strategy to reduce air pollution, especially in urban centers like Bishkek.
In June 2025, the Ministry of Economy and Commerce signed an agreement with several South Korean companies to develop EV charging infrastructure in the capital city.
The partnership includes plans to manufacture charging stations locally, creating jobs while expanding access to charging facilities across the country.
Officials say these efforts aim to build a nationwide network that supports electric vehicles in major cities and tourist regions alike.
By focusing on Issyk-Kul as a priority area, the government hopes to align environmental goals with tourism development.
The new charging stations are expected to make travel easier for EV users while reinforcing Kyrgyzstan’s commitment to sustainable transport solutions.
As imports rise and infrastructure expands, authorities believe electric vehicles will gradually become a more common feature on Kyrgyzstan’s roads.