The Kenyan government has been quite clear of late about its intentions to promote and advance e-mobility as a mode of green transportation in a bid to transform the country’s current transport system. This was emphasized even more this week during the second edition of the Kenya Power E-Mobility Conference.
Speaking during the event, tech experts lauded this bid as they also praised Chinese EV firms as a viable source of this tech that’s currently in use in the country.
Principal secretary in the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, Alex Wachira, noted that Nairobi has seen an emergence of Chinese electric vehicles as an alternative to fossil fuel-powered vehicles. “I want to congratulate all the Chinese firms with local assembly operations because they have played a role in increasing the uptake of EVs in the country,” Wachira stated.
This was reiterated by various energy industry leaders including Kenya Power’s managing director, Joseph Siror and Electric Mobility Association of Kenya chairperson, Hezbon Mose.
“I have a high regard for Chinese manufacturers, as their quality of products is as good as that of any other country,” Siror noted. He added that Kenya Power has already acquired seven electric vehicles due to their affordable prices.
According to Mr Mose, there are about 40 Kenyan companies that are selling electric bicycles and vehicles due to the rising demand for green transport.
We have also seen transport firms adapt to the demand bringing in fleets of EVs such as Bolt which launched 5,000 e-bikes earlier this week in partnership with energy firm M-KOPA. So there is no doubt that the demand for e-mobility is growing in the capital and the country generally. the only real issue being raised has always been about how quickly this transport mode can be fully adapted on Kenyan roads.
