20 Dec 2017 News Transport

Malawi Disseminates Its Fuel Economy Baseline Study Findings

11 December 2017

Blantyre, Malawi

The fuel economy baseline findings for Malawi were presented to stakeholders at a national workshop that was held on 11 December 2017 in Blantyre Malawi. 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 done in establishing the baseline were supported through 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 had introduced higher taxation for vehicles older than 8 years and with 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 the import 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 labeling backed by consumer sensitization campaigns, and a revision of the taxation system to one that is fuel economy based.