Electric cars are steadily becoming part of everyday life for the people of Drohichin. While not long ago such vehicles attracted attention for their rarity, today the number of eco‑friendly cars on the district’s roads is gradually increasing. Along with this trend, the issue of charging station availability is becoming increasingly relevant. Why residents of Drohichin choose electric cars, how profitable this transport is, and how the district plans to develop charging infrastructure—read about it in our article.

Just charged it – and I drove off

One of the first electric car owners in Drohichin was Valentina Pavlovna Zavadskaya. She bought her Mitsubishi i‑MiEV in spring 2024. When Valentina Pavlovna considered buying a new car, choosing an “electric train” was a fully conscious decision. Over time, she realized that this vehicle is not only eco‑friendly but also profitable.

Then I learned that our country had abolished the customs duty and VAT on importing electric cars. I thought, why pay extra taxes when I can honestly save on the purchase? I chose this brand because it is very simple and cheap to operate. An electric car has no conventional engine, so you can forget about fuel, filters, spark plugs, and engine oil. You don’t have to buy or replace any of those. Just plug it in, charge it, and drive off.

The first trips in the electric car left, according to Valentina Zavadskaya, unusual impressions. After a conventional car, the silence inside the cabin was especially surprising. At the same time, the car turned out to be quite dynamic.

The car is very quick; as soon as you press the pedal, it accelerates in literally seconds. It is also maneuverable; in Drohichin I can park on any street and turn around without problems, the woman shares.

The interviewee considers the main advantage of the electric car its economy. She charges the vehicle at home from a regular household outlet and has long forgotten about regular trips to the gas station, which significantly reduces expenses.

It turns out to be significantly cheaper in terms of money, notes Valentina Pavlovna. A full charge gives me up to 80 kilometers. For Drogichin that’s enough: a trip to the store, to the market, to the pharmacy or the polyclinic, everything is nearby. So on ordinary days there are no problems. But there are two nuances. In winter, when it’s cold outside, a lot of energy goes to heating the cabin, so the battery discharges faster. The second nuance is that we don’t have fast charging stations in our city. If you need to rush somewhere and the car is drained, or when guests arrive and you need to get ready for the road quickly, the home outlet won’t keep up—you have to wait a long time.

According to Valentina Zavadskaya, as the charging infrastructure develops, the number of electric cars in Drogichin will increase even more. Such facilities will be especially in demand among residents of apartment buildings and motorists visiting the city.

“Electric cars are increasing in the city, but people from high‑rise buildings simply have nowhere to charge; you can’t pull a socket into the courtyard. We really need fast charging stations so that you can charge a car in ten minutes. It would be good to install several charging stations near large stores or the bus station. While a person is busy with their own affairs, the car could charge,” says Valentina Pavlovna.

Despite some inconveniences, the interviewee does not intend to change her opinion about electric transport. According to the woman, an electric car is simple and economical.

“Especially such a car suits people of my age. For me, it is truly a good helper in retirement,” emphasized Valentina Zavadskaya.

Electric transport for business

A resident of Drogichin, Mikhail Ivanovich Sukharievich, was one of the first in the area to bet on electric transport for business. For freight transport he purchased a Geely Farizon electric van. According to him, today it is essentially the only electric commercial transport option of its class presented in Belarus.

""" I bought an electric van to save money and make freight transportation cheaper, says Mikhail Sukharevich. The electric vehicle fully meets my needs: there’s enough battery charge and range. The difference compared to a regular car is noticeable in terms of economy, cargo capacity, and driving comfort. It has a panoramic camera system, emergency braking, adaptive cruise control that maintains distance to the vehicle ahead, heating, ventilation, and climate control. As they say, it’s “full fare”—with a large multimedia screen, various adjustments, and a full package of safety systems.

According to Mikhail Sukharevich, his electric van’s actual range is 250 kilometers in winter and 350 kilometers in summer. With such a range, it’s profitable to engage in commerce.

“More and more charging stations are appearing on the roads now, so there are no particular problems,” the interlocutor notes. “Depending on the level of charge, recharging takes 20–30 minutes. This doesn’t affect the speed of cargo delivery in any way. I’d even say it’s an advantage, as the driver has time to rest.”

Mikhail Ivanovich lives in a private sector, so, unlike electric vehicle owners living in multi-story buildings, he doesn’t experience problems with charging.

“For business, with the approval of all necessary services, I have installed my own charging power station, with a separate input,” says the man.

At the same time, the interlocutor notes that the issue of developing charging infrastructure for the city remains relevant. According to Mikhail Sukharevich, his acquaintances who own electric cars face a lack: there are no charging stations in Drogichin.

“People come from other cities, from the capital, and they have a problem with recharging their electric car,” the man says.

Mikhail Ivanovich has a very positive attitude toward the idea of electric charging stations appearing in Drogichin. At the same time, he considers the main factor not the location of their placement, but the power.

“If the charging """