The Ghana Energy Commission is taking proactive steps to regulate the growing electric vehicle (EV) sector by requiring all EV owners to register their vehicles. The initiative aims to protect lives, safeguard properties, and ensure the stability of the national electricity grid.
Speaking at a stakeholder sensitisation event in Wa, Madam Joyce Caitlyn Ocansey, Drive Electric Programme Coordinator at the Energy Commission, emphasized that registration is crucial for both policy planning and public safety. “If you buy an electric motorcycle or tricycle, please contact the Energy Commission. We will guide you through the process to protect yourself, your family, your community, and Ghana,” she advised.
The draft Electric Vehicle Charging Station and Battery Swap Systems Regulation, developed in collaboration with the Ghana Standards Authority, sets international-standard safety guidelines for EV charging infrastructure. It outlines minimum technical requirements for home and workplace charging, including socket capacities of up to 16 kilowatts for homes and 22 kilowatts for workplaces, to help prevent fire hazards.
Dr. Godwin Kafui Ayetor, Consultant to the Energy Commission and senior lecturer at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, detailed plans for the nationwide rollout of EV infrastructure. The government intends to establish 1,000 charging stations by 2028, averaging 30 stations per month, with a location map being developed to ensure even distribution.
Dr. Ayetor also highlighted the long-term vision of Ghana’s National EV Policy, which anticipates a full transition to electric vehicles by 2045. However, stakeholders at the Wa event raised concerns over uneven electricity access and the safe disposal of EV batteries.
The draft regulation will soon be presented to parliament, and once passed, it will be illegal to own or operate an EV in Ghana without registration with the Energy Commission. The Commission has assured investors that the government will support the expansion of the EV sector, providing an enabling environment for the deployment of charging infrastructure and battery swap systems.
