Kericho-based Browns Plantations expands clean energy push with launch of electric trucks

Some of the electric trucks acquired by the Browns Plantations during the launch /COURTESY

Browns Plantations Kenya Limited has launched a fleet of 30 electric trucks at its Kericho operations in a major push toward industrial decarbonisation and sustainable logistics, marking one of the largest electric mobility deployments within Kenya’s agricultural sector.

The company announced that 15 electric trucks have already been deployed under the first phase of the programme, with the remaining units set to be rolled out gradually as charging infrastructure and operational systems expand across its tea estates and factories.

The initiative, being implemented in partnership with ElandX and NCBA Group, is part of Browns Plantations Kenya’s broader transition towards low-carbon operations supported by renewable energy, clean transport and sustainable production systems.

Company officials described the rollout as a major milestone in transforming estate-based logistics while reducing reliance on diesel-powered transport.

Browns Plantations Kenya CEO Dushanth Ratwatte said the electric truck deployment represents a new direction for industrial transport within the agricultural sector.

“This deployment represents a shift in how we think about industrial logistics,” Ratwatte said.

“We are integrating electric mobility into the core of our estate operations to improve efficiency, reduce emissions, and build a more resilient and future-ready production system.”

The trucks are being introduced through a fleet-as-a-service model designed by ElandX, while NCBA Group is providing structured financing and leasing support, allowing the company to scale up electric mobility without major upfront capital expenditure.

To support the rollout, Browns Plantations Kenya has already established electric vehicle charging infrastructure across its factories and estates, with further expansion planned as the fleet grows.

The development comes at a time when Kenya is increasingly positioning itself as a regional leader in electric mobility through supportive policy frameworks, tax incentives and investment in clean transport infrastructure.

Industry data shows that electric mobility is rapidly expanding globally as countries seek cleaner and more sustainable transport systems.

According to the International Energy Agency’s Global EV Outlook, global electric vehicle sales rose sharply in 2025, reflecting growing adoption across industries and transport sectors.

Within Kenya, the electric mobility industry has also witnessed rapid growth in recent years, particularly in urban transport and motorcycle operations.

The EV trucks at the tea plantation during the launch /COURTESY

Browns Plantations’ rollout now extends electrification into large-scale industrial agricultural logistics, an area that has remained heavily dependent on fossil fuels.

The company said the electric truck programme complements its existing low-carbon logistics systems, including an aerial ropeway conveyance network used to transport harvested tea across plantation terrain while reducing diesel consumption.

The company also said a significant portion of its energy needs is already supplied through renewable sources.

About 60 per cent of the company’s electricity demand is generated from company-owned hydro and solar systems, while the remaining power is sourced from Kenya’s predominantly renewable national grid powered by geothermal, hydro, wind and solar energy.

Ratwatte said the company’s long-term sustainability strategy goes beyond electric transport and includes renewable energy expansion, ecosystem restoration and operational efficiency improvements.

“We are building a future-ready business that aligns environmental sustainability with operational resilience and long-term growth,” he said.

The company has set ambitious sustainability targets, including achieving 100 per cent reliance on company-owned renewable energy by 2030 and attaining carbon neutrality by 2040.

The electric truck rollout is expected to continue in phases as infrastructure capacity expands and more vehicles are introduced into estate operations.

The company, formerly James Finlays Kenya, is one of the country’s leading producers and exporters of tea and timber, with operations spread across Kericho and Bomet counties.

It manages more than 5,000 hectares of tea plantations and over 2,000 hectares of forestry supported by four tea factories, nine tea estates and extensive timber operations.

It is part of Browns Plantations, a division of LOLC Holdings PLC, a Sri Lankan multinational conglomerate with global investments across multiple sectors.

The company also has a community ownership component through the Kipsigis Highlands Multipurpose Cooperative Society, which holds a 15 per cent stake in the business.