In a bid to combat carbon emissions and promote eco-friendly transportation, Kenya’s rapidly evolving transportation industry is embracing electric vehicles and motorcycles.
BasiGo, a prominent electric vehicle provider, has reported remarkable success in reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Over the course of just two years, they claim to have prevented the release of a staggering 217.4 tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The deployment of their electric buses has not only slashed fuel expenses but has also significantly contributed to environmental conservation efforts.
Fredrick Mutitika, BasiGo’s Product Marketing and Operations Manager, has revealed the company’s innovative approach to making electric buses more accessible. They have introduced a pioneering financing structure that offers a purchase price of Sh7.5 million, coupled with a mileage-dependent subscription fee of Sh40 per kilometre. This subscription fee encompasses charging and maintenance services provided by BasiGo. By offering a lease option, BasiGo aims to reduce upfront costs, thereby increasing the accessibility of electric buses.
Nevertheless, BasiGo faces a notable challenge in transitioning to electric buses—the scarcity of charging stations.
Fredrick Mutitika acknowledges this hurdle but remains optimistic, stating that the company intends to deploy more electric buses to various transport companies and solicit user feedback to enhance its services.
During the 60th Madaraka Day celebrations, President William Ruto announced a commitment to provide low-cost financing for electric motorbikes, primarily targeting boda boda riders. The aim is to liberate Kenyans from petroleum-dependent transportation, significantly reducing the overall cost of transportation.
Mazi Mobility and Roam Motors are two companies at the forefront of the electric motorcycle movement in Kenya, offering both electric motorcycles and charging solutions to boda boda riders.
These riders are taking the lead in transitioning to clean energy within the transport industry. Jesse Forrester, the founder of Mazi Mobility, began his journey in 2021 by assembling ten motorcycles in his living room. Today, he collaborates with Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutes to assemble even more electric motorcycles.
Jesse Forrester reported that riders who have adopted electric motorcycles have saved approximately 50% on their operational costs. According to the company’s analysis, a rider typically spends Sh600 on fuel daily. In contrast, the cost of electricity for e-motorcycles, currently available through battery-swapping services, amounts to about Sh300 for the same distance.
Mazi Mobility offers e-motorcycles with single or dual batteries. The single-battery bike, priced at Sh130,000, can travel up to 70 kilometers on a single charge. The dual-battery bike, priced at Sh180,000, can cover twice the distance. Roam Motors, on the other hand, has established public charging stations for its electric motorcycles at strategic locations. Roam Park has emerged as the largest e-motorcycle assembly plant in East Africa, boasting a production capacity of 50,000 units.
Jesse believes that electric bikes could gain even more popularity among boda boda riders if the government fulfills its promised incentives.
Simplifying the import process for e-mobility companies and streamlining registration processes for electric vehicles could further boost adoption. However, Jesse also highlights potential challenges, including managing mechanical waste generated during the transition and the need for regulations regarding second-hand electric vehicle imports.
The transition to electric vehicles holds promise not only for reducing air pollution but also for improving overall public health.
Kenya aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 32% by 2030 through the adoption of electric vehicles and has plans to set up 1,000 charging stations. Incentives are also being provided to promote local manufacturing of e-mobility products, marking a significant step towards a greener, more sustainable future.
Energy economist Thuo Njoroge Daniel suggests that policies to encourage e-vehicle use and attract investors are essential for the success of this transition. Kenya Power is actively exploring the feasibility of placing electric vehicle charging stations alongside fuel pumps, with the goal of accelerating the installation process and promoting the adoption of electric vehicles in the country.