Africa Growing EV Market for Chinese Imports

Discussion in 'Environment & Conservation' started by Media_Truth, Jul 16, 2024.

  1. Media_Truth

    Media_Truth Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    When you think of Africa, you think of large gas-powered vehicles, hunts and safaris.

    Although the numbers are small, the sale of EVs is growing at a fairly fast clip, and China seems to be capturing the market. Many of the EV's are smaller more affordable motorbikes and scooters.

    https://www.channelnewsasia.com/wor...nzania-africa-china-import-production-4476266

    DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania: China has been quietly driving an electric vehicle revolution in many parts of Africa, creating jobs and supporting a transition away from fossil fuels.

    A raft of African governments are welcoming Chinese EV imports and production, and industry experts expect to see more such vehicles on African roads.

    South Africa, Morocco, Kenya, and Tanzania lead the way in African EV adoption.

    https://www.news24.com/fin24/climat...found-in-africa-and-sa-tops-the-list-20240420

    Here's where most EVs can be found in Africa, and SA tops the list

    • Last year the global sale of electric vehicles rose by 31%, compared to 2022, according to a report.
     
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  2. Jack Hays

    Jack Hays Well-Known Member Donor

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    As in the US, there may be a local urban niche role for the EV in Africa, although the security of charging stations will be a significant problem. Charging infrastructure outside cities is non-existent and would be extraordinarily difficult to secure.
    Btw, I lived in Africa for 12 years and traveled there for more than that.
     
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2024
  3. Media_Truth

    Media_Truth Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    No doubt, but most EV drivers would be aware of this, and plan accordingly. Over 99% of EV charging is at home.
     
  4. Jack Hays

    Jack Hays Well-Known Member Donor

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    I used to drive my Jeep Cherokee 467 miles Lagos to Abuja, and 467 miles back.
     
  5. Media_Truth

    Media_Truth Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Plug-In hybrid would be a good choice for that. Drive it like an EV 99% of the time, and use gas if needed for the remainder.
     
  6. kazenatsu

    kazenatsu Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    It should also be pointed out that a lot of places in Africa do not have the most reliable electric supply.

    Even in developed bigger city areas, the supply of electricity from the state operated utility companies can sometimes cut out for hours, sometimes 2 days, at a time.
     
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2024
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  7. Media_Truth

    Media_Truth Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Plug-in hybrid would be a good choice
     
  8. kazenatsu

    kazenatsu Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Do you realize what average income levels are in Africa?

    It would probably be something small and light like a scooter.

    Doubt Africans could afford the battery size it would take to power a car. Even with a plug-in hybrid.

    It's possible some public buses in major African cities might use the plug-in hybrid model. Simply because the travelling distances would not be too great, and buses stop and start a lot, which is typically where big efficiency gains are seen in electric over internal combustion engines.
     
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2024
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  9. Jack Hays

    Jack Hays Well-Known Member Donor

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    All 467 miles would be gas. I carried extra jerricans.
     
  10. AFM

    AFM Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    We climbed Mt Kiliminjaro last year. The average porter made $10 per day plus tips (we tipped generously). Kiliminjaro porters are relatively well paid (food in included) in Tanzania. These guys are incredible. We have continued to keep in contact with some of them and have sent them gifts of money. Their attitudes and hard work are amazing.
     
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  11. Jack Hays

    Jack Hays Well-Known Member Donor

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    Mrs. Hays and I climbed Kilimanjaro in 1980.
     
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  12. kazenatsu

    kazenatsu Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    In the neighboring country of Kenya, a very cheap model electric scooter sells for the equivalent of about USD $500.
    The price of electricity can be a little higher. Assuming USD 0.22 per kWh, it would cost about $10 or $11 to charge an electric car.


    "According to Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), the daily wages of porters are fixed at $10 a day and they can carry only 20 kilograms of weight on the head.
    However, porters told Anadolu Agency that they are forced to carry much more weight and are paid much lesser wages than fixed by the government. Some are paid as little as $6 a day. Even the tips collected from tourists are taken away by the tour guides at the instruction of the tour company, allege porters."​

    Low paid porters of Africa's Mount Kilimanjaro demand better wages (aa.com.tr)
     
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2024
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  13. AFM

    AFM Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    In 1980 we were 31 and 32. In 2023 we were …. older. We did Kilimanjaro (Lemosha Route) in August and the Inca trail in October.
     
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2024
  14. Jack Hays

    Jack Hays Well-Known Member Donor

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    Yikes. At that point in 1980 we were both 29 YOA.
     
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2024
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  15. Media_Truth

    Media_Truth Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Yes. The point is that China doesn’t mind selling a cheap scooter or trike. Meanwhile the US can’t be bothered. China improves their reputation and global marketing strategy. After years of this, most US companies are now confined to U.S. sales. Their export businesses have all gone bankrupt.
     
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  16. kazenatsu

    kazenatsu Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    It's very difficult for the U.S. to compete with the low Chinese level wages to sell to Third World countries where consumers earn only $10 a day.

    Maybe you would like to reduce U.S. wages to $3.75 per hour? (typical wage in these Chinese factories)
     
    Last edited: Jul 19, 2024
  17. AFM

    AFM Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    The Chinese Communist Party subsidizes Chinese companies who compete with western democracies thus damaging the economies of those western democracies. The Chinese Communist Party also steals billions of dollars of trade secrets and ignores patent law.

    Wake up!!!
     
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  18. Media_Truth

    Media_Truth Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Hate to burst your bubble, but the US does the same thing.
     
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  19. Media_Truth

    Media_Truth Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    If GM or Ford open a plant in Africa, I would expect them to pay less than $3.75 per hour. Bottom line is they would rather get the Federal government involved politically with extravagant tariffs which will be inflationary for all products for Americans.
     
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  20. AFM

    AFM Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Sure we do. That’s why the US dominates in solar panels, wind turbines, clothing, small manufactured goods, etc.
     
  21. Chrizton

    Chrizton Well-Known Member

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    US exports are not confined by anything but the companies' Boards choosing to focus on bolstering their stocks instead of growing sales volumes. China is more interested in diversifying its currency holdings to keep the west from being able to effectively sanction them the way it has Russia. It is a smart strategy for China, but it also has more direct control over its production than the US government has.
     
  22. Media_Truth

    Media_Truth Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    Historically the US has provided Federal grant money to Universities. Often Corporations would co- sponsor the same research efforts. This isn’t much different than China providing funds for their top research corporations. Also, the US has provided direct subsidies to corporations as well.

    https://www.energy.gov/articles/us-... next phase of widescale EV commercialization.

    January 2024
    U.S. Department of Energy Announces $131 Million to Boost America's Battery Supply Chain and Supercharge Electric Vehicle Innovation
     
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  23. Chrizton

    Chrizton Well-Known Member

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    Universities in the US tend not to own corporations. Many of China's largest company are either completely or partially state-owned. It makes a world of difference in being able to control what does or does not get manufactured.
     
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  24. Media_Truth

    Media_Truth Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    And yet for hundreds of years, Western methods have worked out fine. Actually, everything was cool when Western companies made billions importing vehicles into China. Volkswagen was the leading seller of cars in China in the 20th century, and most of the 21st century. China finds their way to more independence, and the West is critical of their methods. Germany is now imposing heavy tariffs on China. It’s two-faced. Should Saudi Arabia be critical of the U.S. for pumping money into subsidizing oil exploration? That’s what countries do. Brazil gets their energy from sugar cane. Saudis should be very upset about that.
     
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  25. AFM

    AFM Well-Known Member Past Donor

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    China is a totalitarian racist country ruled by the Chinese Communist Party whose 100 year plan is global domination.
     

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