Kenya’s transportation industry is increasingly adopting electric vehicles and motorcycles as part of its efforts to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable transportation.
BasiGo, a well-known electric vehicle provider, has announced impressive achievements in carbon dioxide emission reduction.
Within only two years, they assert that they have successfully prevented the release of an astounding 217.4 tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The implementation of their electric buses has not only drastically reduced fuel costs but has also made a significant contribution to environmental preservation endeavours.
Fredrick Mutitika, the Product Marketing and Operations Manager at BasiGo, has unveiled the company’s creative strategy for enhancing the accessibility of electric buses. They have introduced an innovative financing system that includes a purchase price of Sh7.5 million, along with a subscription fee of Sh40 per kilometre based on mileage.
This subscription fee covers charging and maintenance services provided by BasiGo. Through the introduction of a lease option, BasiGo aims to lower initial expenses and make electric buses more accessible.
BasiGo, however, faces a significant challenge in its shift to electric buses due to the limited availability of charging stations.
President William Ruto recently announced a commitment to offer affordable financing options for electric motorbikes, with a particular focus on boda riders, to reduce Kenya’s dependence on petroleum-based transportation and lower transportation costs.
The transition to electric vehicles not only holds the potential to decrease air pollution but also to improve public health in general. Kenya has set a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 32% by 2030 through the adoption of electric vehicles and plans to establish 1,000 charging stations.
Additionally, incentives are being provided to encourage local manufacturing of e-mobility products, which represents a significant stride towards a greener and more sustainable future.
Thuo Njoroge Daniel, an energy economist, emphasizes the importance of implementing policies that promote the use of electric vehicles and attract investors to ensure a successful transition. Kenya Power is currently investigating the possibility of installing electric vehicle charging stations next to fuel pumps to expedite the process and encourage the adoption of electric vehicles in the nation.
