PHNOM PENH: During the annual review meeting of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport on the morning of February 5, 2026, Minister H.E. Peng Ponea released a comprehensive report highlighting the significant progress of Cambodia’s transport sector. The data reveals a clear shift toward green energy and a growing trend for personalized vehicle branding.
💡 Key Takeaways for 2026
- The “EV Revolution” is Real: EV registrations more than doubled in a single year. This suggests that the government’s 2030 goal of having 30,000 EVs is likely to be reached ahead of schedule.
- Digital Revenue is Dominant: The 19.7% increase in revenue from special plates proves that the MPWT’s online automation systems are highly effective at converting public interest into national budget revenue.
- Enforcement Intensity: With over 3 million trucks inspected for weight, the Ministry is signaling a “zero tolerance” policy for road damage, which is critical for protecting Cambodia’s new billion-dollar expressways.
Surge in Vehicle Registrations and Electric Mobility (EV)
In 2025, Cambodia officially registered a total of 522,455 new vehicles. The breakdown is as follows:
- Motorcycles: 429,353 units
- All types of cars/trucks: 93,102 units
A major highlight of the report is the registration of 7,971 Electric Vehicles (EVs). This surge reflects increasing environmental awareness among citizens and the successful implementation of the National Policy on the Development of Electric Vehicles 2024–2030, which aims to transform Cambodia into a greener society.
Revenue Exceeds 117 Billion Riel from Special License Plates
The sale of specialized license plates has become a significant non-tax revenue stream for the national budget. In 2025, the Ministry registered 56,381 special and personalized plates, generating approximately 117,424 million Riel (approx. $28.6 million USD).
- Special Plates: 38,167 units
- Personalized Plates: 18,214 units (including 8,308 motorcycles and 9,906 cars)
Enforcement and Technical Inspections
The Ministry also emphasized its commitment to road safety and legal compliance through several key initiatives:
- Driver’s Licenses: 125,797 licenses were issued, with a vast majority (111,723) being for cars.
- Technical Inspections (Chiek): 460,414 vehicles underwent mandatory safety inspections.
- Overweight Cargo Enforcement: Authorities inspected over 3 million trucks, resulting in fines for 1,290 vehicles found to be exceeding legal weight limits.
- Modified Vehicles: Out of 41,643 modified vehicles inspected, approximately 20.39% were found to be non-compliant with technical standards and were ordered to be corrected.
The report concludes that the Ministry is successfully modernizing public services, making them more accessible to citizens while steering Cambodia toward a more sustainable and law-abiding transportation landscape.
📊 Comparative Analysis: Cambodia’s Transport Sector (2024 vs. 2025)
| Category | 2024 (Approx.) | 2025 (Official) | Trend |
| Total New Registrations | 490,000 | 522,455 | 📈 +6.6% |
| Electric Vehicles (EV) | 3,450 | 7,971 | 🚀 +131% |
| Personalized Plates Sold | 12,400 | 18,214 | 📈 +46.8% |
| Driver’s Licenses Issued | 118,000 | 125,797 | 📈 +6.6% |
| Revenue (Special Plates) | 98B Riel | 117.4B Riel | 📈 +19.7% |
| Technical Inspections | 435,000 | 460,414 | 📈 +5.8% |
FAQ: Vehicle Registration & Services 2025
A Special Plate has “Phnom Penh” or a province name at the top. A Personalized Plate allows the owner to customize the text or numbers at the bottom (e.g., a name or brand) with the word “Cambodia” at the top.
This growth is driven by government incentives, including reduced import duties and lower annual road taxes for EVs, alongside the ongoing expansion of the national charging station network.
Citizens can use the automated registration system at vehicle.mpwt.gov.kh to select their preferred numbers/text and make a payment online instantly.