The sharp rise in electricity tariffs is squeezing Electric Vehicle (EV) operators, particularly commercial fleets, threatening profits and casting a shadow over Ghana’s green transport ambitions.
While traditional drivers rejoice at falling petrol prices, EV operators face a starkly different reality: soaring power costs are now eating deep into their revenue.
Some commercial EV operators report that charging costs consume up to 40% of total income, transforming what was once considered a smart investment into a financial burden.
The situation has prompted many to explore solar-powered systems as a long-term solution, though the high upfront cost of batteries and panels remains a major hurdle for small-scale operators already struggling to stay afloat.
The disparity is increasingly apparent. As of mid-January 2026, petrol prices at major pumps like GOIL and Star Oil have dropped to GH¢9.99 per litre, thanks to a strengthening cedi and falling global crude prices.
Meanwhile, electricity tariffs rose by 9.86% on New Year’s Day, in addition to quarterly increases announced last year. This widening price gap puts EV users at a financial disadvantage and complicates the government’s National Energy Transition Framework.
To ease the burden, the government has unveiled a series of measures aimed at stabilizing electricity costs for EV operators.
Central to the 2026 Budget is a plan to decouple green transport costs from the volatile national grid.
Stakholders say the government will gradually shift power generation from expensive light crude oil to domestic natural gas from the Jubilee and TEN fields, an initiative to cut generation costs by up to 75%, which could eventually lower tariffs for EV users.
In parallel, the Ministry of Energy is preparing to deploy dedicated solar-powered EV charging hubs under the “Government Goes Solar” initiative, which targets 400MW of solar capacity by late 2026.
These hubs will offer fixed, affordable rates, insulating EV operators from future grid price spikes.
Without decisive follow-through, EV operators risk deeper financial strain, and Ghana could miss its target of 1,500 electric buses on the road by 2030.
Analysts warn that unstable energy costs not only threaten adoption rates but also jeopardize potential green investment inflows estimated at $550 billion, critical for achieving Ghana’s Net Zero 2060 ambitions.
For now, commercial EV operators are navigating a precarious path, balancing the promise of sustainable transport with the harsh realities of an electricity market that continues to favor fossil-fuel users.
