Addis Ababa’s Transport Bureau announced that older vehicles will be removed from service based strictly on their harmful exhaust emissions rather than their manufacturing date. Officials clarified that the widespread perception of an immediate blanket ban on older cars across the capital is incorrect. Transport authorities confirmed that any vehicle meeting mandatory environmental safety standards after proper maintenance can remain fully operational on the city’s roads.
Director of the Non-Motorized Transport Expansion Directorate, Girma Samuel, highlighted that vehicle compliance depends entirely on passing strict inspection tests regardless of the year built. During recent technical assessments, certain 2017 model vehicles failed to meet standard emission limits, while well-maintained models dating back to 1998 passed and remained in service. The director emphasized that functional, low-emission classic cars will not face arbitrary confiscation or bans solely due to their age.
Despite allowing compliant fuel-powered vehicles to operate, municipal authorities are pursuing a long-term plan to gradually transition away from outdated transportation modes. Overaged automobiles that fail to align with Addis Ababa’s modernization goals will be incrementally replaced with modern electric vehicles (EVs). This strategic shift forms part of Ethiopia’s broader initiatives to foster sustainable urban mobility, reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels, and promote cleaner green technology across the capital’s growing transit system.
Regulatory efforts are strictly governed under Vehicle Emissions Control Directive No. 1051/2025, which legally compels every motor vehicle operating in the city to satisfy approved emission thresholds. Under this framework, non-compliant vehicles are legally required to undergo mechanical upgrades, such as installing emission-reduction technologies or replacing damaged fuel and air filtration systems, before re-inspection. Vehicles that consistently fail to meet required standards after these corrective options will face removal from public roadways.
Urban transport management experts note that integrating rigid emission testing alongside the national push for EV adoption provides a balanced approach to air quality control. By allowing responsible drivers to maintain older vehicles while offering incentives for zero-emission alternatives, local authorities aim to minimize financial disruption for low-income vehicle owners. City officials expect these measures to drastically cut carbon footprints and create a healthier, cleaner urban environment for Addis Ababa residents over the coming decade.
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