The April 28 groundbreaking ceremony for a BYD Cambodia EV assembly plant in the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone (SSEZ). CDC
Private sector leaders are optimistic that electric vehicle (EV) usage in Cambodia will surge, as construction of a local assembly plant of Chinese EV giant BYD (Build Your Dream) got underway. The facility is scheduled to officially start operations in early November 2025.
The groundbreaking ceremony for BYD Cambodia Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of BYD Auto Industry, was held on April 28.
The company plans to invest approximately $32 million in the first phase to build a CKD (Completely Knocked Down) vehicle assembly plant on a 12-hectare site within the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone. The plant will assemble both pure electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).
Eventually, the factory is expected to assemble up to 10,000 vehicles per year. Construction is scheduled to be completed by October, with the first EVs assembled in Cambodia to roll out in early November.
Suo Vireak, CEO and founder of Virak Buntham Express Co., Ltd., told The Post on April 28 that demand for EVs in Cambodia is rising rapidly, along with a noticeable increase in EV imports. He also noted that investment in EV charging stations across Cambodia is growing steadily.
Vireak added that his company is increasing its use of EVs, for both passenger transport and cargo. He stated that within two years, Virak Buntham plans to transition almost its entire fleet to EVs.
“Our company is committed to further expanding our use of EVs. Within the next two years, 80% of our fleet will be electric, and we’ve already invested in building charging stations in several provinces, including Phnom Penh. Construction should be completed within the next one to two months,” he said.
The groundbreaking ceremony of the new BYD plant was attended by Chinese ambassador Wang Wenbin and Sun Chanthol, first vice-president of the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC).
Senior Chinese and Cambodian officials examine a BYD electric vehicle during the groundbreaking ceremony. CDC
Chanthol praised BYD Cambodia for choosing to invest in the country’s electric vehicle sector — a move he linked to high-level cooperation between Cambodia and China, particularly after his delegation visited BYD’s Shenzhen headquarters in October 2023.
He highlighted how this latest investment will contribute to Cambodia’s socio-economic development under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and is a tangible result of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s recent state visit to Cambodia. He emphasised the deepening of Cambodia–China ties and the joint effort to build a Cambodia–China Community of Shared Future in the new era.
“BYD’s investment reflects the confidence foreign investors have in the Cambodian government, thanks to the smart and capable leadership across generations. Under the CDC’s leadership, we continue to improve the business and investment environment through promoting investment laws, outreach abroad and simplifying related procedures,” he said.
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport reported that EV registrations in Cambodia have significantly increased. In 2024, a total of 2,253 EVs were registered — a 620% increase compared to the 313 EVs registered in 2023.
A ministry report also noted that the most popular EV brands in Cambodia include BYD, Toyota and Tesla.
