1. In 2023, light-duty vehicles in the US consumed 7,596 GWh of electricity, with EV sales making up 16% of total LDV sales.
2. The electricity generated in Uganda in 2023 was 6,032.3 GWh, with 93.4% coming from hydropower plants.
3. Uganda needs to double its electricity generation capacity to meet the needs of its population, while also transitioning to electric vehicles for sustainability.
In 2023, light-duty vehicles (LDVs) in the United States consumed 7,596 GWh of electricity, driven by the increasing sales of electric vehicles (EVs) which made up 16% of all LDV sales. The cumulative sales of plug-in EVs in the USA have reached nearly 5 million. To put this energy consumption into perspective, the total electricity generated in Uganda in 2023 was 6,032.3 GWh, with a renewable energy mix of about 95%. Despite this, access to electricity in Uganda is still low at around 45%, highlighting the need to ramp up electricity generation to meet future demands.
As the transition to electric mobility accelerates globally, it would be beneficial for Uganda to increase access to electricity and promote the adoption of electric vehicles. With over 2.3 million vehicles in Uganda, transitioning a significant portion of the fleet to electric could have positive impacts on reducing emissions and promoting cleaner transportation. This shift would align with efforts to increase access to electricity and cleaner cooking technologies in the country.
The comparison between electricity consumption in the USA from EVs and the total electricity generation in Uganda serves as a thought-provoking perspective on energy needs and opportunities for growth in both countries. Uganda’s potential for increasing its electricity generation capacity and embracing electric mobility presents a pathway towards sustainable development and energy security.