Regulation prep. complete for Turkish electric vehicles

In preparation for Turkey's first domestically produced electric car, the first research phase to address new regulations for the required electric vehicle (EV) charging stations have been complete, head of Turkey's Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EMRA) said on Wednesday.

In an exclusive interview with Anadolu Agency, Mustafa Yılmaz said that EMRA has analyzed internationally recognized business models, technologies and regulations on fast and smart charging stations. He also said that the method of payment in charging stations would be assessed.

"We are looking at the billing error probability in car charging process," he added.

In the second phase, public opinion and consultation with the sector's representatives will be sought on the new draft regulation when it is officially published on EMRA's website. Following this consultation process, the draft regulation will be published in the official gazette and come into force.

Last week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced in the capital Ankara that five automotive supplier firms -- Anadolu Group, BMC, Kıraca Holding, Turkcell, and Zorlu Holding would jointly manufacture Turkey's first home-made car.

Erdoğan praised efforts to ensure that the mass production of its first car would be either electric or hybrid.

Turkey's fully electric and hybrid car sales increased by 805.6 percent to 2,763 in the first nine months of 2017, compared to 300 in first nine months of 2016, according to Turkey's Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Association.

This is Turkey's second attempt at producing its own car after its attempt in 1961 when it produced the Devrim (Revolution), whose production was halted after the first prototype was manufactured.