China’s Belt and Road Initiative hits record $213bn in 2025
China’s Belt and Road Initiative recorded its strongest year since launch in 2025, with Chinese investment a...
Uzbekistan plans to significantly expand the use of electric vehicles (EVs), targeting a 10% share of all passenger cars by 2030.
The initiative comes as part of broader efforts to improve urban air quality and cut transport emissions, according to the updated Uzbekistan-2030 strategy.
The roadmap envisions a gradual rise in EV adoption over the next five years. Electric cars are expected to account for just under 2% of passenger vehicles in 2026, increasing to 3% in 2027, 5% in 2028, 7% in 2029, and 10% by 2030.
As of 1 October 2025, more than 86,100 electric vehicles were registered nationwide. The majority are concentrated in the capital, Tashkent, which accounts for nearly 65,000 EVs.
The government links the policy shift to environmental and public health priorities. In 2025, Tashkent regularly recorded elevated air pollution levels, particularly during winter months, driven by road traffic, fossil-fuel heating and adverse weather conditions that trap emissions.
While EVs alone are not expected to solve the problem, officials say reducing tailpipe emissions in densely populated areas could make a meaningful contribution to cleaner urban air over time.
To accelerate adoption, authorities have announced a package of financial incentives. Subsidised auto loans will be offered at 12% for domestically produced electric vehicles and 16% for imported models.
Entrepreneurs investing in charging infrastructure will be eligible for preferential loans at 10%, along with the option to purchase land for charging stations at half price through auctions.
Additional support measures include state compensation for electricity costs at public charging stations, covering the portion of the tariff above a fixed threshold.
Drivers using electric vehicles for taxi services are also expected to receive targeted benefits, although full details have yet to be published.
The measures form part of a five-year national programme to promote eco-friendly transport.
Alongside financial incentives, the programme prioritises expanding the charging network and integrating electric mobility into urban transport planning.
Officials say the strategy is designed to balance environmental goals with consumer affordability, while laying the groundwork for longer-term reductions in transport-related emissions.
The U.S military said it carried out retaliatory strikes on Iran on Thursday (7 May). Meanwhile, Iran's Joint Military Command accused the U.S. of breaching the ceasefire, by striking an Iranian oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz and launching attacks on several Iranian cities.
U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran wanted to negotiate and make a deal in comments to reporters on Wednesday (6 May). But earlier, he warned Washington would ramp up attacks if no agreement was reached.
Argentinian authorities are reconstructing the journeys of Dutch citizens who presented with symptoms of deadly hantavirus after visiting Argentina and Chile as part of a luxury cruise trip, the country's Health Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday (6 May)
The 61st Venice Biennale has opened under grey skies and political tension, with disputes over Russia and Israel, resignations on the jury, and protests marking the start of one of the art world’s most high-profile events.
Latvian authorities said two drones entered NATO member Latvia from Russian territory and crashed on Thursday morning, with officials linking them to Ukraine’s wider drone operations against targets in Russia.
Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar signed its first export agreement on Wednesday for the newly unveiled Bayraktar Kızılelma unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
Iran’s parliamentary speaker has warned that Tehran still faces the risk of military or terrorist attacks, despite reports that a peace agreement with the U.S. could be announced this week.
Ukraine’s military said it struck a Russian Karakurt-class small missile carrier in the Caspian Sea near Russia’s Dagestan region on Thursday. The extent of the damage is still being assessed, according to Kyiv.
An Israeli air strike has killed the son of Hamas’ chief negotiator in U.S.-mediated Gaza talks, as group leaders met in Cairo to shore up a fragile ceasefire with Israel.
Reports that Emmanuel Macron planned to cross from Armenia into Türkiye via their closed border - and was reportedly blocked following consultations with Azerbaijan - have sparked renewed debate on South Caucasus diplomacy.
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