The Ministry of Environment and Forest Resources hosted about 60 participants to a national workshop to discuss the results for vehicle fuel economy inventory study in Togo. The study covered the period 2005 – 2016 and showed that vehicle growth was at 6% per annum, with new vehicles accounting for only 3% of the imported vehicle fleet. Despite showing some improvements, the average fuel economy for the light duty vehicles imported into the country was well above the global average - from 8.8 litres/100 kms in 2005 to 8.2 litres/100 kms in 2016. The global average fuel economy in 2015 was 7.6 litres/100 kms with countries like Mauritius already at 5.9 litres/100 kms in 2015.
In their opening remarks, representatives of the Ministers of Environment, Health and Transport all spoke on the need for cleaner mobility and welcomed the study that presented a clear picture on the kind of vehicles that are imported into Togo. The study is supported by the UN Environment through EU funding.
The study proposed short term interventions (2018- 2022) such as eco driving, vehicle labelling, review of taxation policy and infrastructure development for public transport and non-motorized transport. A longer-term measure (2023 – 2027) identified is the promotion of renewable energy sources linked to the introduction of electric mobility. Cross cutting actions regarding institutional strengthening to support vehicle fuel economy strategies, gender consideration and creation of a sustainable mobility day were also proposed.
Togo will now progress to the next steps consisting of drafting more concrete policies, based on a cost and benefit analysis, that the government can consider to attract import of cleaner and more fuel efficient vehicles.
