Myanmar junta’s EV plan aids family firms

Myanmar’s military‑backed regime has unveiled a controversial trade‑in scheme forcing owners of ageing or poorly maintained vehicles to switch to electric cars—a market dominated by the children of coup leader‑turned‑president Min Aung Hlaing.

The Ministry of Commerce announced on Thursday that vehicles over 20 years old, or deemed unfit for use, must be surrendered. Owners would then be permitted to import an electric vehicle as a replacement, with foreign currency provided at a “reasonable rate” by the Central Bank.

Officials framed the policy as a way to cut fuel consumption, reduce accidents and curb emissions. Yet critics argue the plan is designed to funnel profits to Min Aung Hlaing’s family, who control much of the EV sector through Chinese brands. His son Aung Pyae Sone is the exclusive importer of BYD cars, while his daughter Khin Thiri Thet Mon runs N.P.K Motors, which operates charging stations nationwide.

The regime has already restricted imports of combustion‑engine vehicles, while heavily promoting China‑made EVs. Together, the president’s children imported more than 1,200 vehicles by May 2024, cementing their dominance in the market.

Public reaction has been sceptical. Myanmar faces chronic power shortages and limited charging infrastructure, making widespread EV adoption impractical. Many see the trade‑in plan as another attempt to enrich the junta’s inner circle rather than address the country’s energy crisis.

The rollout comes amid broader restrictions linked to the global fuel crunch, including rationing, odd‑even driving rules and mandatory work‑from‑home days for government staff. Electric vehicles are exempt from these measures, further nudging consumers towards the sector controlled by the regime’s family.

For ordinary motorists, the scheme raises more questions than answers—chief among them whether enforcement will be strict, and whether the promised benefits will ever reach beyond the junta’s own business empire.

-2026-05-31