Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Anvar Tuychiev, Chairman of the Senate Committee of the Oliy Majlis on Agrarian, Water Management Issues and Ecology, has submitted an official inquiry to Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection, and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The inquiry addresses growing concerns regarding the environmental certification of hybrid vehicles imported into the country.

In recent days, public debate has intensified over the requirement for hybrid cars to present an environmental certificate confirming compliance with at least Euro-4 standards during customs clearance. This has sparked confusion, as most hybrid vehicles are equipped with electric motors and typically meet more advanced environmental standards — Euro-5 or Euro-6.

According to Cabinet Resolution No. 50 dated January 30, 2020, the certification process mandates verification of environmental compliance, provided an accredited testing laboratory is available. If such a laboratory is absent, vehicle identification procedures are allowed as an alternative.

Further concerns have been raised regarding the legal definition of a “hybrid vehicle” as outlined in Cabinet Resolution No. 172 of April 12, 2022, “On Approval of the Traffic Rules.” Particular attention is being paid to the legal interpretation and classification of hybrids within the general vehicle categories “M” and “N.”

In light of this, Senator Tuychiev has requested detailed clarifications on several key issues:

• the legal and organizational framework for environmental certification;
• the presence, capacity, and technical equipment of accredited testing laboratories;
• the legal grounds for requiring environmental certificates for hybrid vehicles with electric motors;
• and the procedures for determining fees for application review, certification processes, and the issuance or refusal of certificates.

The senator emphasized the need for transparency in all procedures, minimizing bureaucratic barriers, and creating conditions that prevent unnecessary difficulties for businesses and citizens importing environmentally friendly vehicles into Uzbekistan.