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Tag: Electric vehicles in Kenya

  • E-mobility power demand up 179pc on steep fuel prices

    E-mobility power demand up 179pc on steep fuel prices

    Kenya’s electric mobility sector registered a 179pc increase in power demand signaling steady rise in adoption of electric powered vehicles.

    Official data shows that the electricity demand in the sector rose from 2.8 gigawatt-hour (GWh) in 2024 to stand at 7.8GWh last year owing to increasing use of electric powered personal cars, buses, three-wheelers and two-wheelers.

    According to industry players, the shift to EVs from fossil fuel powered vehicles continues to be driven by the rising global fuel prices which have risen steadily in recent years triggered by Russia-Ukraine war and US/Israel-Iran war.

    “Fuel is a main driver but also operation expenditure as well. It’s much easier, cheaper and most cost effective to manage EVs over time. Therefore running cost is a major issue,” Epure Motion Kenya, Dong Feng Kenya Chief Executive Officer Gilbert Saggia told KBC Digital and CMG.

    According to the National Electric Mobility Policy, the sector is projected to register 47,860 EVs by 2030 to account for 8.8pc of total registered vehicles in Kenya.

    The affordability of the EVs has also been backed as a catalyst for rising sales supported by China’s mass production capacity.

    “China has completely changed the game as far as global EV is concerned,” said Saggia.

    Kenya is increasingly focusing on expanding charging infrastructure to support expansion of the sector across the country and also contribute to the reduction of greenhouse emissions.

    The government estimates that as of 2015, the transport sector accounted for 13pc percent of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and could reach 17pc by 2030.

    “After learning the benefits of electric from China where I had gone for benchmarking five years ago, that is when I started ordering for the electric buses,” said George Githinji, CEO OMA Bus Service.

    In the coming financial year, the Electric Mobility Association of Kenya is proposing for retention of all existing incentives which have sustained sector growth and a further expansion of the incentives to three-wheelers, passenger cars and trucks.

    “BasiGo’s mission is to create the future of clean electric public transport here in Africa,” noted Jit Bhattacharya CEO BasiGo.

  • Kenya trails in EV sales in Africa as unit sold double to 11,000

    Kenya trails in EV sales in Africa as unit sold double to 11,000

    Electric car sales in Africa more than doubled to reach 11,000 last year though it accounted for less than 1pc of global sales according to latest data by the International Energy Agency (IEA).

    The Global EV Outlook 2025 indicates that Morocco and Egypt commanded the largest growth of EVs in the continent as sales increased by more the 2000 backed by increase local production of vehicles and batteries.

    The agency says global electric car sales exceeded 17 million last year reaching a sales share of more than 20% supported by increased production in China. China alone registered electric car sales exceeding 11 million which are more than units sold globally.

    The agency says China shipped at least 1.25 million electric cars last year accounting for 70pc of global production which boosted uptake especially in emerging markets.

    “Our data shows that, despite significant uncertainties, electric cars remain on a strong growth trajectory globally. Sales continue to set new records, with major implications for the international auto industry,” said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol.

    Sales of electric vehicles and electric two wheelers in Kenya have been on the rise boosted by imports as well as local assembly by firms such as BasGo, Roam as well as available financing options.

    “Beyond increasing manufacturing investments, asset financiers like M-KOPA, Mogo, and Watu are helping consumers and small business owners access electric motorcycles through flexible payment plans and lease-to-own schemes,” said IEA.O

    Official data indicate that e-mobility power demand in Kenya stood at 2.4 gigawatt hours (GWh) last year out of the total domestic demand of 10,751.7GWh. E-mobility tariff was introduced in 2023/24 financial year with an initial yield of Ksh 19.35 per Unit.

    IEA further attributes rapid growth of EV sales to policy incentives and the growing presence of relatively affordable electric cars from Chinese Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Last year, global electric car exports increased by 20pc to reach 3.5 million.

    Already, in the first quarter of 2025, sales have increased by 35pc to hit 4 million when compared to the same quarter last year.

    “This year, we expect more than one in four cars sold worldwide to be electric, with growth accelerating in many emerging economies. By the end of this decade, it is set to be more than two in five cars as EVs become increasingly affordable,” added Birol.

    According to data by E-Mobility Association of Kenya, the country had 4,047 newly registered EVs with e-motorbikes accounting for more than half of total registrations as of 2023.