Nairobi: Kenya’s electric mobility sector has recorded rapid growth over the last three years, with the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on the country’s roads rising from about 1,200 in 2023 to more than 35,000 currently, stakeholders have said.
According to Kenya News Agency, industry representatives and development partners speaking during an e-mobility event at Stima Plaza Annex in Nairobi attributed the growth to collaboration between government agencies, the private sector, and development organisations in creating a supportive environment for electric transport.
The event marked the flagging-off of parallel EV parades along the Nairobi-Kisumu and Nairobi-Mombasa corridors, as well as a major showcase scheduled for Sunday in Nairobi. Kenya Power and Lighting Company Managing Director and CEO, Dr. (Eng.) Joseph Siror, said the initiative was aimed at demonstrating the viability of electric mobility in Kenya and showcasing the country’s expanding charging infrastructure.
Dr. Siror stated, “This is a good moment to look at the journey where we started. Three years ago, when we were having discussions, many people thought this was only a pilot project. Today, we have more than 35,000 electric vehicles on our roads.” He noted that about 60 to 70 per cent of the vehicles are concentrated within Nairobi, adding that the parades would help prove that long-distance electric transport is now possible in Kenya.
Stakeholders called for continued government incentives through the Finance Bill and urged Kenya Power to consider lower electricity tariffs for EV charging in order to accelerate adoption of electric mobility technologies. They emphasized the need for discussions around the e-tariff review in the next two to three months to ensure cheaper power continues supporting e-mobility growth.
The event brought together representatives from government, private sector players, academia, and development partners involved in the electric mobility ecosystem. Also present were representatives from various e-mobility companies and organisations supporting the transition to clean transport technologies.
Hanna Salian, Programme Director for Energy, Transport, and Climate Change at the German development agency GIZ, stated that the Organisation had supported Kenya’s e-mobility transition for several years on behalf of the German Government and the European Union. She highlighted the success of collaboration across sectors and ministries in achieving the growth to more than 35,000 EVs on the road.
Salian mentioned that GIZ had been supporting the development of policies aimed at creating an enabling environment for investments in electric mobility. The Organisation had also supported the development of training curricula in institutions and universities to equip technicians and operators with skills needed to maintain electric vehicles and related technologies.
She expressed optimism about the future of the sector and welcomed the continued collaboration between stakeholders. The parade is expected to further raise public awareness about the adoption of electric mobility in Kenya.
