Egypt's First Locally Assembled EV Launches with Chinese GB/T Charging Protocol

Egypt has unveiled its first locally assembled electric vehicle, the Dongfeng Mage, featuring the Chinese GB/T charging protocol. SN Automotive announced the official launch, a move that has revived debate over the future of charging standards in the Egyptian market, especially amid reports that authorities may restrict fast charging to the European CCS2 protocol.

2025 Decision Cancelled GB/T — So Why Is the New EV Using It?

In April 2025, Egypt's Electric Utility and Consumer Protection Regulatory Agency issued a decision to cancel the Chinese charging protocol used at fast-charging stations for electric vehicles. The decision pushed thousands of owners of imported Chinese EVs to rely on adapters to charge via the European protocol. Yet the new Dongfeng Mage brings GB/T back into the picture, raising questions about public charging stations' stance and whether state directives align with the requirements of new electric cars. Does the debate return to square one?

Made in Egypt... With a Chinese Protocol

The new car is assembled at the El Nasr Automotive factory, making it the first EV to carry the "Made in Egypt" badge. That factor makes its reliance on GB/T a significant indicator in the local charging standards debate. El Nasr Automotive plays a central role here, placing the first local electric product before the test of compatibility with existing infrastructure. The car carries the Dongfeng Mage name and targets a growing segment of Egyptian consumers.

GB/T is China's national standard for EV charging, covering slow AC charging and fast DC charging. It stands as one of the world's leading charging standards alongside Europe's CCS2 and Japan's CHAdeMO. Its adoption in an Egyptian-assembled car puts the market before the question of compatibility between different standards. The answer will shape the charging infrastructure for years to come.

What Does This Mean for Egypt's Charging Future?

The presence of a local EV with GB/T could push charging stations to support both standards to avoid consumer reluctance. Owners of imported Chinese cars know this file well after the 2025 decision. The Dongfeng Mage may become a real test of the market's flexibility in accommodating more than one charging standard. The experiment will reveal much about plans to expand fast-charging stations.

Official sales figures for this model in Egypt have not yet been released, but unveiling the first locally assembled EV with 45% local content marks an important industrial step. El Nasr Automotive is reviving its manufacturing role, this time through electricity. The charging protocol debate will continue as long as Chinese cars remain part of the market.