Experts in the electric mobility sector are urging the removal of obstacles hindering the adoption of this new technology.
They
have identified several hurdles limiting the uptake of electric
vehicles in the country, including a lack of charging stations, a lack
of battery swapping stations, insufficient incentives and the high cost
of electric vehicles. These were cited as key roadblocks to adoption.
Other challenges include a lack of awareness among consumers regarding the need to transition to electric vehicles.
“When
we speak to consumers today, they express range anxiety. They ask, ‘I
have a vehicle; where can I find a charging point?’ Consequently, the
adoption of EVs becomes limited,” said Hezbon Mose, president of the
E-mobility Association of Kenya.
Mose
was among the speakers at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre
on Monday during Kenya Power’s third E-Mobility Stakeholders Conference
and Expo.
He emphasised the need for a reliable electricity supply and appropriate tariffs.
“When
addressing electricity issues, the application of transformers is
crucial. We are moving away from solely relying on existing
transformers. Given our high capacity needs, we will now be purchasing
our own transformers for our charging stations,” he explained.
Epra
has introduced a special electricity tariff of Sh16 per unit (kWh) for
electric vehicles during peak hours and Sh8 per unit during off-peak
hours.
“The
entire process, from purchasing the transformer to its implementation,
obtaining an e-meter and resolving issues within the charging station,
is something we need to discuss and explore how to streamline. This will
significantly aid the growth of EVs in the country.”
Mose
highlighted the necessity of a comprehensive mobility policy, noting
that the sector has to lobby Parliament annually for its agenda during
each Finance Bill.
He
projected that electric two-wheelers (motorcycles) could surpass 60,000
units by 2030, with cumulative figures exceeding 200,000 with strong
incentives.
“Three-wheelers (tuk-tuks) could also reach over 280 annual sales, totalling more than 1,865 units by 2030.”
Warren Ondanje of the Africa E-Mobility Alliance said between $6 and $7 billion were spent annually on importing fossil fuels.
Experts agree that fossil fuels are a major contributor to global warming.
Kenya has committed to a 35 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2030.
Ondanje stressed the need for necessary regulations and safeguards to fully leverage e-mobility.
Close
to $500 million has been allocated to climate finance, with a
significant portion directed towards addressing pollution from the
transport sector, he said.
During
the event, vehicles converted to electric power were showcased,
including a 1990 Mercedes W124 capable of travelling up to 498km on a
full charge and a 1979 VW Kombi with a range of up to 160 km.
Energy
PS Alex Wachira affirmed the government’s commitment to the adoption of
e-mobility as a cornerstone of sustainable development.
Statistics indicate that the transport sector accounts for approximately 23 per cent of global carbon emissions.
Kenya
Power managing director, Joseph Siror, stated their commitment towards
transitioning to electric mobility to catalyse the reduction of carbon
emissions.
“Part
of our plan is to create an enabling environment for players within the
e-mobility ecosystem through the provision of adequate power supply and
the requisite infrastructure, such as charging stations, that will
enable motorists to travel with ease.”
The
company will install 45 EV chargers across six counties – Nairobi,
Nyeri, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru, Mombasa and Taita Taveta – within the
next year.
Six of the chargers will be situated at strategic locations within the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
So far, three EV chargers have been put up, all within Nairobi.
There are 9,047 EVs registered in the country, compared to 2,694 and 5,294 registered in 2023 and 2024, respectively.
Siror
also announced their collaboration with the Kenya Industrial Research
and Development Institute to establish local EV battery assembly plants,
aiming to make e-mobility more affordable and accessible.
“This
move will cut costs, create jobs and support Kenya’s goal of becoming a
regional hub for e-mobility innovation – fully aligned with the
government’s industrialisation agenda.”
