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Month: November 2025
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— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) Nov 28, 2025
Despite growing interest in environmentally friendly transport, the share of electric vehicles (EVs) in Kazakhstan remains modest. This is due to their relatively late entry into the domestic market, persistent public skepticism, and an underdeveloped charging infrastructure. Nevertheless, electric mobility is already seen as a crucial component of Kazakhstan’s future transport strategy and its broader sustainable development agenda.
These are among the conclusions of a new study analyzing the state of the EV fleet in Kazakhstan and proposing measures to develop urban electric transport infrastructure.
According to official registration data, more than 19,000 electric cars and motorcycles were registered in Kazakhstan in the first half of 2025, a figure that reflects steadily rising interest in EV adoption.
More EVs, Fewer Charging Stations
If current trends continue, the EV fleet in Kazakhstan could increase more than tenfold by 2030, says Seydulla Abdullaev, Doctor of Technical Sciences and Head of the School of Transport Engineering and Logistics at the Satbayev Kazakh National Research Technical University. However, the pace of charging infrastructure development continues to lag.
“Even with the current ratio of 25 electric vehicles per charging station, Kazakhstan will need between 4,000 and 8,000 charging points by 2030. This will require significant investment, an updated regulatory framework, and more active participation from the private sector,” Abdullaev told The Times of Central Asia.
By comparison, in China, the global leader in EV production and charging infrastructure, one station serves an average of ten electric vehicles, a level considered high by industry standards. In Europe, EV charging stations are installed along highways at intervals of roughly 50 km. In contrast, only 23 such stations are currently operational on Kazakh highways.
International best practices highlight the value of equipping residential complexes and parking lots with courtyard chargers, especially when backed by state subsidies.
In Kazakhstan, a roadmap adopted in 2023 mandates that necessary EV infrastructure be established in all major cities by 2029. However, progress has been slow. In Almaty, which accounts for approximately 60% of the nation’s EV fleet, only 23 of the 40 planned charging stations were completed by 2024.
“Our analysis shows that the key barriers to electric transport development include inadequate infrastructure, a limited service base, and underdeveloped technical documentation. Moving forward, progress will largely depend on political decisions, particularly in areas such as EV production subsidies, charging station expansion, and buyer incentives,” Abdullaev noted.
Incentive Cuts Threaten Market Growth
Kazakhstan’s EV market has increasingly aligned with global trends, particularly the dominance of Chinese manufacturers. Today, around 70% of EVs in the country are made in China, followed by about 20% from the U.S., and the rest from Germany, Belgium, Austria, and Japan. According to Natalya Tokmurzina-Kobernyak, Associate Professor at the School of Transport Engineering and Logistics at Satbayev KazNITU, this technological diversity demands a broad and well-supported service infrastructure.
The global EV fleet, which stood at 58 million in 2020, had nearly quintupled by the end of 2024, according to the International Energy Agency. That figure is expected to reach 400 million by 2030. Two-thirds of these vehicles are battery electric, with hybrids making up the remainder.
In Kazakhstan, however, legislation only classifies battery electric vehicles as EVs. Hybrids are excluded under the Law “On Road Traffic.”
Researchers warn that the cancellation of import privileges could hurt EV adoption. The current exemption from customs duties was limited to 15,000 vehicles, a quota that has already been filled. Starting January 1, 2026, individual buyers will be required to pay 16% VAT, although the zero rate for transport and disposal taxes will remain. This is expected to raise EV prices by 30-40%.
EV charging network operators, who had anticipated a growth in demand, are now tempering their expectations. Bulat Pultambekov, a representative of the EVS charging station network, says the company is revising its business forecasts amid concerns about longer payback periods and tighter financing conditions.
Globally, governments offer extensive EV incentives. In the UK, subsidies reach $7,800; in France, up to 30% of a car’s value. Other common incentives include tax exemptions, free parking, use of public transport lanes, toll-free road access, zero VAT, and customs duty waivers.
The study modeled three development scenarios for EV mobility in Kazakhstan through 2030. Under the optimistic scenario, with continued state support, the EV fleet could grow to 120,000 units. A realistic projection puts the number at 78,000 (approximately 12% of the national vehicle fleet), while an inertial scenario, assuming limited policy support, projects growth to just 42,000 units.
“With the removal of import subsidies in 2025, we expect slower growth, even if the overall upward trend continues. As a result, the EV share will remain at 12-16%,” the study notes.
Who is Responsible for the Transition?
Kazakhstan has already adopted a basic legislative framework for EV regulation, including 17 national and 8 interstate standards for vehicles and chargers. Separate documents outline energy usage rules, and electrical safety is addressed in fire and installation regulations.
Yet, according to Tokmurzina-Kobernyak, the regulatory environment remains fragmented.
“We don’t have a dedicated law ‘On Electric Vehicle Transport’ that would consolidate all the disparate regulations,” she said, adding that Kazakhstan also lacks a single state body responsible for coordinating EV policy.
To fill these gaps, she recommends passing a specialized EV law, amending the Urban Planning Code, and introducing unified technical standards for charging station installation, adjusted for climatic differences across regions.
“Without systemic action, we cannot achieve zero harmful emissions,” she stressed.
One unresolved challenge is battery disposal. With an average lifespan of 5-7 years, the growing number of batteries will soon become an environmental concern. Safety is another issue: lithium-ion batteries can suffer from thermal runaway, leading to fire or explosion.
Though the technology is still emerging, several countries are already testing rapid heat-suppression systems. Kazakhstan’s fire services are also exploring new battery fire-extinguishing techniques. According to the research group, Kazakhstan has recorded three EV-related fires in the past four years. Future regulations for EV charging station placement are expected to include stricter fire and electrical safety requirements.
Experts agree that without active state involvement, further development of Kazakhstan’s EV sector is unlikely. A promising step is the roadmap for 2025-2035 being drafted by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a World Bank entity. The plan will draw on global best practices, propose financial incentives, and identify pilot projects.
Competing with global leaders like China and the U.S., who enjoy large-scale production and technological advantages, will be a challenge. Therefore, researchers argue, Kazakhstan must leverage advanced technologies and alternative fuels while capitalizing on its domestic resource base.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei described claims that Iran sent messages to the U.S. in a bid to reach out to Washington as a “total lie.”
The actor shared that he wants to pay homage to “the character Andrew built.”
US president says he will ‘permanently pause’ migration from ‘third world countries’ after national guard shooting
One of two US national guard soldiers shot in a targeted attack near the White House this week has died, while the second is fighting for his life, Donald Trump has announced.
As part of his Thanksgiving call to US troops late on Thursday, the US president said he had been informed that Sarah Beckstrom, 20, had succumbed to her wounds.
Courtesy of Sweetgrass Studio
- Kim Greene started breeding protection dogs after getting pregnant with twins.
- Her dogs now sell for $175,000 and are fully trained when they’re placed.
- The business grew after she divorced and started running the company alone.
This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Kim Greene, founder of Svalinn Dogs. It has been edited for length and clarity.
When I was a little girl, I got a horrific case of poison ivy from petting and loving on the family dog. After experiencing intense itching from head to toe, I developed a total aversion to dogs. I made my husband agree that we would never have a dog when we got married.
My husband and I both worked internationally, he in defense and me in humanitarian efforts. We met in Afghanistan and later moved to Kenya, which was a region where his harder skillset and my softer skillset could both be utilized.
There, I found out I was pregnant with twins. I gained more than 80 pounds during the pregnancy, which made me feel like a sitting duck in an environment where a lot of things could go wrong. I wanted protection, but I didn’t like the idea of having a firearm or a bodyguard. I wasn’t thrilled about the idea of a dog, but it seemed better than the alternatives.
I started the business just before having twins
My husband and I imported two security dogs from the US. Right away, we thought we could do it better. I wanted to create a dog that would fill the role of a pet, one that could be snuggled and loved, yet also offer protection. I wanted my dogs to be guardian angels for their families.
My then-husband and I developed a comprehensive business plan with a budget of $5 million. But we could only raise $160,000 from friends and family. That’s when I realized this might be harder than anticipated. We officially launched in 2005 and started our breeding program in 2007.
Courtesy of Sweetgrass Studio
Today, the business is 20 years old, and my twins are 19 years old. The boys and the business grew up side by side. Often, I felt like the business was my needy third child. Twins demanded a lot from me, but the business demanded even more. I put the boys in day care so that I could focus on my career path. That gave me fulfillment, but it was also a necessity: financially, we had nothing to fall back on.
I moved the company to the US, and was shocked at the costs
As my sons started school, it became clear that one of them needed more academic support than he could get in Kenya. In 2012, the boys and I abruptly moved back to the US, while my then-husband stayed in Africa to continue the contract work that was supporting our family.
I felt the business was established in Kenya, but moving back to the US felt like starting over. Our American launch in 2013 was a rude awakening. The cost of running a company in the US was staggering, and we didn’t make a profit until 2017.
Courtesy of Sweetgrass Studio
During those years, I thought about giving up every single day. But I couldn’t see a quick exit strategy. People and animals were relying on me. Plus, I still had conviction about the idea of a protection dog. I also felt that at this point, I was the only one stupid enough to keep trying to profit from dogs who needed three years of training. I thought I could outlast the competition.
The business took off after my divorce
My husband and I divorced in 2019. That was a pivotal point for the business. Svalinn wouldn’t exist without him, but once I was able to restructure the company on my own, I felt we found our stride. Even before the divorce, I had been a single mom for many years while he lived abroad. Svalinn is all about helping moms and children feel secure, and I felt we were able to really embody that once I was running things on my own.
Courtesy of Sweetgrass Studio
I also found the confidence to charge more for our dogs. Before that, I was charging about $75,000 per dog. When you consider that it includes up to three years of 24/7 care, support, and training, it really wasn’t enough. We were losing money.
Once our dogs were established, the market was willing to pay what they were truly worth — though even now I’m not sure we charge enough. Today, the dogs cost $175,000. We place about 18 to 20 dogs annually. We have 13 employees, and our reputation has taken off.
As for my own finances, I’m getting there. Divorce is an expensive proposition, and so is building a business over 20 years. Yet, I have a job I love. My sons are gritty, hard workers who are true to themselves. That comes from growing up in a family where they had to roll up their sleeves.
Courtesy of Sweetgrass Studio
My children and I have gleaned important life lessons about hard work — and taking time for fun — over the past 20 years. That’s my greatest wealth.
Read the original article on Business Insider
Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile for Web Summit via Getty Images
- Oura plans to expand its smart ring into digital payments, keys, and identity tools.
- CEO Tom Hale sees biometric wearables as a solution for secure authentication and payments.
- Integrating NFC chips into small wearables remains an engineering challenge, Hale acknowledged.
Oura, the maker of smart rings beloved by athletes and celebrities, has said it’s on course to generate $1 billion in revenue this year. Now it’s setting its sights beyond fitness and health tracking as it looks to capture its next billion-dollar opportunity.
Speaking to Business Insider at the Web Summit tech conference in Lisbon this month, Oura CEO Tom Hale outlined a vision to expand into areas like digital identity and payments.
“The idea is very straightforward: What if this is your key? What if this is your wallet?” Hale said of the company’s smart rings, which retail for up to $499.
Hale said there’s a lot of friction within enterprises when it comes to validating identity — from office workers remembering their passwords when they log on to their computers, to those with clearance to operate weapons systems getting access to the control room.
“This is a biometric wearable that can identify you,” Hale said.
Hale didn’t give a timeline for when such features might be brought to the device.
“We’re not suddenly going to become an identity provider,” Hale said. “It’s an additional value of biometric identification and payments as an application.”
Oura first signaled its intent to move into the authentication space in 2023, when it acquired the identity technology provider Proxy in an all-equity deal. At the time, Oura said the deal gave it the opportunity to expand its addressable market, although it has largely kept details of precisely what it’s working on under wraps since.
Oura raised a $900 million Series E funding round in October of this year, valuing the company at $11 billion. Hale said the fresh investment would primarily be used to support its international expansion.
Frederick Stanbrell, an analyst who focuses on the wearables market at the research company IDC, said Oura has many factors in its favor as it expands into areas like payments and IDs. Many consumers are already accustomed to swiping their smartwatches or using wearables to make payments on public transport, Stanbrell said.
Oura has sold more than 5.5 million devices, the company said earlier this year, and it has an audience base that consists of many ultra-high net worth individuals, which could work in its favor for striking partnerships with payment providers such as Visa and Mastercard.
However, integrating an NFC chip comes with challenges. Its compact size means the signal can be “quite weak,” Stanbrell said, adding that skin on the wearer’s finger can also “absorb some of the signal.”
“Other companies have struggled to do it,” he said, pointing to Samsung, which was expected to bring identity and payments tech to its Galaxy Ring but didn’t.
Hale acknowledged integrating NFC hardware into a smart ring is “an engineering challenge,” but added that NFC “is becoming more and more ubiquitous — it’s highly reliable, and it’s a low power draw.”
Read the original article on Business Insider
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