The change is contained in Statutory Instrument 159 of 2026, the Customs and Excise (Tariff) (Amendment) Notice, 2026 (No. 16), published on Friday 16 October, 2026.
The new regulations cover trucks weighing more than five tonnes that run entirely on electricity.
Under the notice, issued by the Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion in terms of section 225 of the Customs and Excise Act [Chapter 23:02], the Government has amended the First Schedule of the Customs and Excise (Tariff) Notice, 2022, published in SI 203 of 2022.
The notice is deemed to have come into effect on 2 March 2026, meaning importers who brought in qualifying trucks from that date will benefit retrospectively.
It builds on last year’s broader cut in duty on fully electric vehicles, when the Government reduced import duty from 40% to 25% in a bid to lower the cost of entry into e-mobility and cut the country’s fuel import bill.
The timing is significant for the freight sector. Last year, Chinese equipment giant SANY launched a fleet of electric trucks in Zimbabwe, including its distinctive Eagle Eye heavy-duty model now seen on the country’s highways, targeting 30% of the heavy truck market amid surging demand from mining and construction.
Industry players say heavy electric trucks, while expensive upfront, offer far lower operating costs, reduced maintenance and insulation from diesel price volatility. For mines running short-haul, high-frequency routes, the economics are increasingly compelling.