Implementation of green transport solutions based on clean energy sources

Introduction\

Transport is an integral part of everyone's daily life, providing mobility, moving goods and services. However, the widespread use of transport based on traditional fuels has a serious impact on the environment, causing a number of environmental problems that require urgent solutions.

Currently, one of the most widespread environmental pollution in Uzbekistan is transport based on traditional fuels, which leads to deterioration of air quality, increasing noise levels, and other negative consequences for human health and the environment.

To solve this issue, Uzbekistan is actively implementing green transport solutions aimed at reducing the harmful impact of transport on the environment, which include the usage of vehicles running on clean energy sources such as electricity, biofuels, as well as the development of public transport and the popularization of cycling.

The importance of green transport solutions lies not only in reducing harmful emissions, but also in creating a healthier and more comfortable living environment for citizens, reducing energy consumption and increasing the energy efficiency of the transport system as a whole. This is especially true in the context of a growing urban environment and an increasing vehicle fleet.

Status of green transport in Uzbekistan

In recent years, the country has been actively developing green transport technologies to reduce the negative environmental impact of transport. However, the current status and prevalence of clean energy vehicles is still below the desired level.

For example, the Resolution of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan PR-№111 of 02.02.2022 "On additional measures for further development of the public transport system of the city of Tashkent" stipulates that:

• comprehensive development of the public transport system with the integration of all its types, increasing the level of public transport use by the population at least twofold;
• development of public transport infrastructure, expansion of the metro network, organisation of modern transport and transfer hubs and bus stops on the basis of standard projects, redesign of intersections and streets to organise priority public transport;
• financial rehabilitation of the sector's enterprises and doubling the share of the private sector by improving the system of carrier financing and tariff policy;
• development of cycling and other non-motorised modes of transport, including the organisation of pedestrian and cyclist-friendly paths, bicycle rentals and special parking lots for bicycles;
• introduction of intelligent vehicle traffic management systems ("smart intersection", "smart bus" and "smart stop") and ensuring road safety through the widespread use of digital technologies and innovative approaches;
• renewal of public transport rolling stock with modern, environmentally friendly buses, including electric buses.

The 2025 public transport targets include:

• Increasing the share of public transport in total passenger traffic from the current 21 % to 43 %;
• Increasing the daily volume of passenger traffic by public transport to 2.7 million passengers per day;
• Reducing the interval of public transport by half;
• Purchasing 1,063 buses and 673 electric buses.

Electric cars

The environmental level of vehicles still depends on the quality of fuel used and the organisation of road traffic. The number of vehicles in the country is growing rapidly, from 3.1 million in 2021 to 4.6 million in 2023 (an increase of 32 %). On average, 730 000 vehicles move in Tashkent in one day, in addition, between 160 000 and 300 000 vehicles enter from the regions. Most vehicles use A-80 petrol, due to its availability compared to other brands of petrol, which does not meet international standards, releases more harmful emissions into the atmosphere.

At the same time, in order to reduce negative impacts on atmospheric air quality in the city of Tashkent, the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan proposes to implement the following measures:

●       Transfer of public transport to electric, gas and other alternative fuels, as well as organisation of road infrastructure;

●       banning all types of motor vehicles manufactured before 2010 and providing benefits, preferences and subsidies to owners of motor vehicles when they switch to modern motor vehicles (electric cars);

There is growing interest in electric vehicles in Uzbekistan, especially in major cities such as Tashkent and Samarkand. However, their market share is still small due to high prices and limited charging station infrastructure.

Alternative fuel types

Hydrogen and biofuel vehicles are also on the market, but their prevalence is limited due to technical and economic reasons.

President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev took part in a ceremony to launch a combined-cycle power plant in Syrdarya region and start construction of a pilot production of "green hydrogen" in Tashkent region on 27 November 2023, the press service of the head of state reported, which will make it possible to commission vehicles using alternative energy sources. Both projects are being implemented jointly with the Saudi company ACWA Power. An enterprise producing "green hydrogen" is being created for the first time in Tashkent Region. Under this "pilot" project, 3 000 tons of hydrogen will be produced at the first stage with subsequent processing into mineral fertilisers, and a 52 MW wind farm will be created.

It is noted that nowadays the participation of ACWA Power in Uzbekistan implemented energy projects worth $7.5 billion. "The launch of these projects will contribute to the creation of 25 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030, which will save 4.5 billion cubic metres of gas and reduce harmful emissions into the atmosphere to 3 million tonnes.

«Public transport»

In the area of public transport, the introduction of buses with hybrid and electric engines can be noted, which helps to reduce emissions in cities.

In the past 2023, 27 of the capital's public transport routes were equipped with rolling stock consisting entirely of electric buses. The total length of the network of routes on which electric buses run is more than 508 kilometres. As a result of replacing old buses with modern electric buses, travelling for passenger in the capital's public transport has become more comfortable. Since the electric buses were put on the routes, the amount of pollutants emitted into the atmosphere has decreased by 93.3 tonnes per month, which is an important factor. In 2024, 200 more electric buses will be purchased for the city of Tashkent.

Infrastructure for green transport

In recent years, there has been a gradual development of infrastructure supporting green transport solutions, which contributes to an increase in the number of clean energy vehicles. Charging stations for electric vehicles in Uzbek cities are being actively developed and are located in convenient locations such as shopping centres, hotels, car parks and other public places. Various benefits and incentives are provided to owners of green vehicles, such as preferential electricity tariff planning for electric vehicles and tax incentives for alternative modes of transport. These projects and initiatives are part of Uzbekistan's overall strategy to develop an environmentally sustainable transport system and promote the use of green technologies in transport.

Advantages of green transport

The main reason for the growing popularity of electric cars in Uzbekistan is the government's initiative to introduce a number of incentives for their import from abroad. For example, from 1 January 2019, a zero customs rate is applied to the import of electric vehicles, although it was initially proposed to set it at 10%. In addition, the excise tax rate on imports of electric vehicles has been cancelled. Thus, the owner of an electric vehicle must pay VAT and various fees upon importation, including road fund and customs clearance fees

In September 2021, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a law introducing a new clause in the Tax Code that exempts imports of electric vehicles into the country from motor vehicle fees.

In the current circumstances, electric vehicles have become an alternative for many Uzbeks to foreign cars, which require import duties and fees that make them more expensive. Despite the fact that electric transport is exempt from almost all payments, it did not gain popularity immediately - it took several years. In the first half of 2019, when import exemptions for electric cars became effective, only 20 units were imported, while premium cars more than 600 units were imported due to the zero customs duty. The total number of imported electric cars till 2021 was less than 200 units.

Since 2021, the situation has begun to change dramatically. For example, in July of that year, 164 electric vehicles were imported into Uzbekistan, and in seven months their number exceeded 400 vehicles, and reached 809 units at the end of the year. In the same 2021, the value of imported electric vehicles totaled $16.9 million, six times higher than in 2020. China accounted for almost 90% of electric vehicles imported into the country, followed by Turkey and the United States with a significant lag.

Source: https://stat.uz

In addition, electric buses have attracted great interest from passengers. On the routes served by electric buses, passenger traffic increased by 188%, indicating a positive assessment of the new transport system by the residents of Tashkent. In 2024, 94 electric buses are planned to be delivered to Samarkand.

Projects and initiatives

The President announced decisive measures to improve transport infrastructure and reduce environmental impact in Tashkent and expressed the decision to accelerate the development of public transport as one of the key ways to tackle traffic problems and air pollution.

For example, the project "Tashkent - accelerating investments in low emission vehicles (TAILEV)" is being implemented On 22 December 2023, the Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan hosted a presentation of the Green City transport corridor together with the UNDP office in Uzbekistan.

In accordance with Presidential Resolution № PR-59 of 16 February 2023 "On measures to reform the public transport system", it is planned to create 36 separate bus lanes in Tashkent city, with a total length of 475 km, where public transport will move continuously.

To support the initiative and the successful implementation of bus lanes, the TAILEV project developed a conceptual design, mathematical model and feasibility study for a green transport corridor on Shota Rustaveli Street in the capital city.

In developing this corridor, the opinions of passengers and local residents have been taken into account, and the needs of people with disabilities, the elderly, children and women for public transport infrastructure have been considered. Also according to the feasibility studies, the implementation of this corridor will increase the average speed of motor vehicles along the corridor by 11% and reduce air pollution by 12.3%.

Conclusion

For Uzbekistan, as for many other countries, the transition to green transport is a strategically important step towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 7, SDG 9, SDG 11, SDG 13) and meeting international environmental standards. It also favours the development of innovative technologies, the creation of new jobs and the strengthening of a country's economic competitiveness.

The implementation of green transport solutions not only reduces the negative impact on the environment, but also contributes to improving the quality of life of citizens, reducing traffic congestion, improving public health and reducing energy costs.

The effective usage of green transport solutions requires an integrated approach that includes developing appropriate infrastructure, introducing innovative technologies, encouraging the use of environmentally friendly transport modes and supporting research in the field of green mobility.