Malawi presents new fuel economy baseline analysis

January 4, 2018 by Global Fuel Economy Initiative

Categories: Fuel Efficiency, Africa, In-country

The Global Fuel Economy Initiative has been supporting Malawi to undertake a baseline analysis of the vehicle fleet in the country in preparation for developing policy options to improve vehicle efficiency.

The fuel economy baseline findings for Malawi were presented to stakeholders at a national workshop that was held on 11 December 2017 in Blantyre. The national fuel economy baseline analysis in Malawi commenced in May 2017 and was coordinated by the Department of Energy Affairs, under the Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy & Mining. The activities undertaken in establishing the baseline were supported by FIA Foundation funding.

Stakeholders from government ministries responsible for finance, transport, energy and the environment, the private sector and the academia, as well as the UN Environment participated in the fuel economy dissemination workshop. Participants were informed that the Government of Malawi has introduced higher taxation for vehicles older than 8 years and with a higher engine capacity. The analysis showed that the new tax structure had some impact as 75% of petrol driven vehicles registered over the study period (2006 - 2015) were between 1001 and 2000 CC. The average fuel economy for 2015 was estimated at 7.3 litres/100 kilometres. Participants however noted that the country was not fully benefiting from international improvements in vehicle fuel economy due to continued imports of older more inefficient vehicles into Malawi.

Participants recommended setting of an age limit for vehicles imported into Malawi as well as introduction of vehicle emission standards, vehicle fuel economy labelling backed by consumer sensitization campaigns, and a revision of the taxation system to one that is based on vehicle fuel economy.