The electric vehicle revolution has reached Iraq, and Dubai based buyers are increasingly looking to export EVs from the UAE to meet growing demand in Baghdad, Basra, and Erbil. At Altass Motors, we've seen a 340% increase in EV export inquiries to Iraq over the past 18 months, driven by Iraq's new green energy incentives and the country's urgent need to modernize its automotive fleet.
If you're considering exporting an electric car from Dubai to Iraq, this guide covers everything you need to know about regulations, costs, documentation, and the export process. While clarifying exactly what Altass Motors handles and what remains your responsibility as the buyer.
Iraq's transportation sector is undergoing a dramatic transformation. After decades of relying on aging, fuel inefficient vehicles, the Iraqi government has introduced several policies to encourage EV adoption:
New Import Incentives: As of January 2026, Iraq reduced customs duties on fully electric vehicles from 10% to just 2%, making EV imports significantly more affordable than traditional gasoline cars. Hybrid vehicles receive a moderate 5% duty rate, still far below the 10% applied to conventional cars.
Charging Infrastructure Investment: The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity announced a $500 million investment in 2025 to build 2,000 public charging stations across major cities by 2028, with Baghdad, Basra, Mosul, and Erbil receiving priority coverage.
Fuel Subsidy Reductions: Iraq has gradually reduced gasoline subsidies since 2024, making electric vehicles increasingly cost competitive for daily commuters and fleet operators alike.
Environmental Pressures: With some of the world's highest air pollution levels, Iraqi cities are under pressure to reduce emissions from the transportation sector, which accounts for nearly 30% of the country's carbon footprint.
Altass Motors maintains an extensive inventory of electric vehicles suitable for Iraqi road conditions and climate. The most popular models for export to Iraq include:
BYD Han and Tang: Chinese made BYD vehicles have gained significant traction in Iraq due to their competitive pricing, strong warranty support, and suitability for Middle Eastern conditions. The BYD Han offers 605 km of range, while the Tang SUV provides family friendly space with 505 km range.
Hyundai Ioniq 5 and 6: Korean engineering meets Iraqi practicality with these models, which feature ultra fast charging capabilities (10-80% in 18 minutes) and vehicle to load (V2L) functions that can power home appliances during Iraq's frequent electricity outages.
Kia EV6: Similar to the Ioniq 5 but with sportier styling, the EV6 appeals to younger Iraqi buyers who want performance alongside efficiency.
Nissan Leaf and Ariya: Budget conscious buyers often choose the Leaf for city driving, while the Ariya SUV offers more range and premium features for highway travel between Iraqi cities.
Before exporting an electric car from Dubai to Iraq, you need to understand the current import requirements:
Age Restrictions: Iraq allows import of electric vehicles up to 5 years old from the manufacturing date. A 2022 model year EV can be imported until the end of 2027. This is more lenient than the 3 year limit for gasoline vehicles.
Left Hand Drive Requirement: All vehicles imported to Iraq must be left hand drive (LHD). Fortunately, all EVs sold in the UAE are LHD, so this is not a concern for Altass Motors customers.
Certificate of Conformity: Each EV must have a valid Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from the manufacturer, confirming it meets international safety and emissions standards. Altass Motors provides this document as part of our export file.
Battery Capacity Documentation: Iraqi customs requires detailed specifications of the EV's battery capacity (kWh), range (km), and charging specifications. We include all technical sheets in your export documentation package.
No Right Hand Drive Conversions: Iraq strictly prohibits any right hand drive conversions, which are sometimes seen in other Middle Eastern markets. All our vehicles are factory original LHD.
This is a critical distinction that every buyer must understand before proceeding with an EV export to Iraq.
Complete UAE Export Documentation: We handle all paperwork required to legally export your chosen EV from the UAE, including:
- RTA (Roads and Transport Authority) export certificate
- UAE vehicle de-registration
- Certificate of Origin (chamber of commerce attested)
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Bill of lading coordination with your shipping agent
- Technical specifications and VIN verification documents
Vehicle Inspection and Verification: Every EV undergoes a comprehensive 150 point inspection before export, including battery health diagnostics, charging system tests, and software updates to ensure optimal performance in Iraqi conditions.
Pre Export Preparation: We clean, photograph, and prepare your vehicle for shipping, providing you with a detailed condition report and video walkthrough before it leaves our Dubai facility.
Customs Declaration Support: Our export team prepares all UAE customs declarations and coordinates with Jebel Ali or Port Rashid authorities to ensure smooth exit processing.
Shipping and Freight Booking: Altass Motors does NOT provide shipping services. You must engage your own freight forwarder or shipping agent to handle the physical transport of your EV from Dubai to Iraqi ports (typically Umm Qasr near Basra).
Iraqi Customs Clearance: Once your EV arrives in Iraq, you or your Iraqi customs broker must handle import clearance, duty payment, and release from the port.
Iraqi Registration and Licensing: After customs clearance, you're responsible for registering the vehicle with Iraqi authorities, obtaining Iraqi license plates, and securing local insurance.
Transport from Iraqi Port to Final Destination: Whether you need the EV delivered to Baghdad, Erbil, or another city, you must arrange inland transportation from the arrival port.
Before exporting an EV to Iraq, consider these practical factors:
Home Charging: Most Iraqi EV owners install home charging stations, as public infrastructure is still developing. A 7kW home charger costs $800–$1,500 installed and can fully charge most EVs overnight.
Public Charging: As of mid 2026, Baghdad has approximately 45 public charging stations, Basra has 28, and Erbil has 22. This number is growing rapidly but remains limited compared to UAE or European cities.
Electricity Reliability: Iraq's power grid experiences frequent outages. Many EV owners pair their vehicles with home solar systems or generators to ensure consistent charging capability.
Range Considerations: Given Iraq's extreme summer temperatures (often exceeding 50℃/122℉), expect 15–20% range reduction when using air conditioning heavily. Plan accordingly for long distance travel.
Service and Maintenance:BYD, Hyundai, and Kia have established dealer networks across major Iraqi cities. Altass Motors can provide introductions to our Iraqi service partners.
Proven Track Record: We've successfully exported thousands of vehicles to Iraq since 2020, including 500+ electric vehicles in the past 18 months alone.
EV Expertise: Our team includes certified EV specialists who understand battery health assessment, charging system diagnostics, and software updates specific to each manufacturer.
Transparent Process: We provide complete visibility into every step of the export process, with regular photo and video updates as your vehicle moves through our facility.
Competitive Pricing: Our direct relationships with UAE distributors and fleet operators allow us to offer EVs at prices 10–15% below typical retail.
Compliance Guarantee: Every vehicle we export meets Iraq's current import regulations, with all documentation properly attested and verified.
1. Browse Our Inventory: Visit our website or contact our sales team to see available EVs matching your requirements and budget.
2. Request a Quote: Provide your target model, year, and budget range. We'll send detailed specifications, pricing, and availability within 24 hours.
3. Reserve Your Vehicle: Once you've selected your EV, we'll prepare a sales agreement and begin the export documentation process.
4. Arrange Shipping: Engage your preferred freight forwarder. We can recommend several experienced Iraq shipping agents if needed, though you maintain full control of the shipping arrangement.
5. Export Processing: Our team completes all UAE export formalities within 3–5 business days, coordinating with your shipping agent for vessel booking.
6. Vehicle Handover: We deliver your EV to the Dubai port, provide you with all export documents, and confirm shipment details.
7. Iraqi Clearance: Your shipping agent or customs broker handles Iraqi import procedures using the documentation we provide.
Phone: +971 581083670 or +971 43339040 , Whatsapp
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.altassmotors.com
Disclaimer: Altass Motors provides UAE export documentation and coordination but does not handle shipping, freight booking, or Iraq’s customs clearance. Buyers must engage their own shipping agents.
A: No. Iraq strictly requires left hand drive vehicles. All our EVs are factory original LHD.
A: This is extremely rare when proper documentation is provided. Altass Motors ensures all export papers meet Iraqi requirements. Rejections typically occur only with incomplete or fraudulent documentation.
A: We provide a comprehensive battery health report showing state of health (SoH), charging cycles, and any warranty coverage remaining. Most of our EVs retain 95%+ battery health.
A: Yes. Container shipping allows 2–3 vehicles per 20 foot container, reducing per unit shipping costs. We regularly handle multi-vehicle exports to Iraq.
A: While we don't operate service centers in Iraq, we maintain relationships with authorized EV service providers in Baghdad, Basra, and Erbil and can facilitate introductions for warranty work or repairs.
Ready to import? Contact Altass Motors today.
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