We reveal the cheapest electric cars in Egypt

From the newsletter

The new Dongfeng Box, Dongfeng 007 and the 2026 MG 4 are the three cheapest cars in Egypt, with prices having dropped to about $16,000 for the Dongfeng Box. The Dongfeng 007 costs $28,000, while the MG 4 retails at $25,000. While electric car prices are dropping steadily in Egypt, they are still way higher than fuel cars, whose prices start as low as $6,000.

• Dongfeng and MG, both Chinese-owned brands, highlight China’s growing influence in Egypt’s electric car market. Companies from the Asian giant have started to dominate the Egyptian EV market through cheaper models than their European competitors. 

• Egypt’s recent decision to ban Chinese charging plugs will however affect sales of Chinese companies like BYD, Xpeng, Nio, Dongfeng, and MG. They will be forced to introduce electric cars with European charging pots in order to continue their growth momentum in the North African country. 

More details

• The new Dongfeng Box is available in two trims: the first is priced at EGP 770,000 ($16,000) and can travel up to 330 km on a single charge, while the second trim is priced at EGP 870,000 ($18,000) and can travel up to 430 km on a single charge.

• Meanwhile, the new Dongfeng 007 electric car is available in two versions in the Egyptian market. The first has an official price of EGP 1.35 million ($28,000) and can travel 530 km on a single charge. The second, priced at EGP 1.45 million ($30,000), can travel up to 620 km on a single charge. 

• The 2026 MG4 electric car is available in Egypt in two trims, with an official price starting at EGP 1.2 million ($25,000), and the second trim priced at EGP 1.4 million ($29,000). The new MG 4 is rear-wheel drive. The standard model's battery capacity is 51 kWh and a range of 350 km on a single charge. The second version is equipped with a 64 kWh battery and can travel up to 450 km. 

• The cheaper prices are as a result of a mix of factors, primarily a reduction in global prices. The entry of many Chinese companies in Egypt has made competition stiff in a market that was previously dominated by European brands, mainly Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Volkswagen. Egypt is one of the top three importers of electric cars from China in Africa. The Egyptian government has also cut taxes on EVs, a primary driver for the downward pressure on prices, especially for entry-level models.

• Egypt is one of the African countries that are trying to reduce their reliance on imported EVs in favour of local assembly and manufacturing. Egypt is in talks with major Chinese carmakers to produce electric cars and components, including batteries, which can account for up to 50% of an EV's cost. The country’s push for localization is despite locally-made electric cars potentially being way costlier than imported ones, making them uncompetitive in the market.  

• The downward pressure on electric car prices, mainly driven by Chinese companies, is already manifesting in more countries in Africa. BYD, being the biggest EV manufacturer in China, is already in more than 17 countries in Africa. It has already introduced six models in South Africa with different price points. This diversity in models and prices will accelerate demand for EVs on the continent. 

Our take

• African governments can learn from the Egyptian government, whose decision to allow the import of used EVs up to three years old has created a booming and more affordable entry point for consumers. Used electric cars can be found for as low as EGP 300,000 ($6,000), making them a direct competitor to new, entry-level fuel cars. 

• While prices for low-end electric cars can be expected to continue to decline due to stiff competition, the same cannot be said for high-end electric cars. Luxury brands and high-spec models from companies like Porsche and Mercedes remain very expensive, with prices ranging from EGP 3 million ($63,000) to over EGP 10 million ($210,000). 

• The agitation by Egypt and other African countries to manufacture electric cars locally will not yield much fruit. Locally-made electric cars will be very expensive compared to imports without massive government subsidies. Instead, they should first focus on growing a solid market and creating necessary infrastructure investments to smoothen EV ownership.