Sales of electric and hybrid vehicles in Kazakhstan rose nearly fivefold in the first four months of 2026, as Chinese brands expanded their presence and buyers turned to plug-in hybrids and extended-range models suited to the country’s long distances and harsh climate.
According to the Kazakhstan Automobile Union, official dealers sold 2,122 passenger vehicles in the New Energy Vehicles, or NEV, segment between January and April, nearly five times more than during the same period last year.
The NEV category includes fully electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, or PHEVs, and extended-range electric vehicles, or EREVs, which combine electric and conventional power systems.
Most sales came from hybrid and extended-range models, which accounted for 1,499 units, while fully electric vehicles represented 623 sales. Demand growth became particularly noticeable in March and April after a relatively moderate start to the year.
Analysts say electric and hybrid vehicles are gradually moving beyond their status as a niche segment of the Kazakh automotive market.
“Today, buyers are increasingly choosing plug-in hybrids and extended-range vehicles,” said Anar Makasheva, president of the Kazakhstan Automobile Union.
According to Makasheva, such models offer many Kazakh consumers a compromise between fuel efficiency, driving range, and practicality.
The pattern reflects a wider trend in Kazakhstan’s car market, where fully electric vehicles remain attractive but face practical limits linked to charging infrastructure, winter performance, and long intercity routes. Plug-in hybrids and extended-range models offer many buyers a lower-risk transition from conventional cars.
Chinese automaker BYD became the clear market leader in Kazakhstan’s NEV segment, selling 1,181 vehicles, an increase of 432% compared with the same period last year. Li Auto ranked second with sales of 384 vehicles, while Geely Galaxy placed third with 367 units sold. The top five also included Zeekr and ROX.
The best-selling model in the segment was the hybrid BYD Song Plus DM-i, with 413 vehicles sold during the first four months of the year. It was followed by the Geely Galaxy EX5 EM-i and the BYD Chazor. Other popular models included the Li Auto L6 and the fully electric BYD Yuan Up.
In the traditional hybrid, or HEV, category, the Toyota Camry remained the market leader, with dealers selling 274 vehicles.
For comparison, Kazakhstan sold a total of 4,242 NEV vehicles during all of 2025, while sales in 2024 amounted to only 1,083 units.
The figures also come amid wider growth in Kazakhstan’s automotive sector. In February, the Kazakhstan Automobile Union projected that vehicle production could exceed 209,000 units in 2026, following output of 171,400 units in 2025.
The growing popularity of electric and hybrid vehicles comes as the government looks for ways to make the segment more visible and easier to regulate.
The Times of Central Asia previously reported that Kazakhstan plans to introduce green license plates for electric vehicles to simplify identification by traffic surveillance systems.
