Kenya Power Accelerates E-Mobility: KES 6.5 Million Investment in Nairobi EV Charging

 

Kenya Power and Lighting Company is the biggest electricity distributor in Kenya. Recently, the company introduced a KES.6.5 million charging station in Nairobi, which is the first-ever electric vehicle charger in the country by the company. Kenya Power aims to play a significant role in setting up more charging stations throughout the country.

In Kenya, e-mobility has been on the rise for the past few months. There has been an increase in electric vehicles on the roads, including electric bikes, cars, and buses. It seems that we are gearing up for a future where every non-electric vehicle will be replaced by an electric one.

The Managing and Chief Executive Officer DR. Eng. Joseph Siror unveiled the two charging stations in Nairobi, in a statement and I quote “In a bold move towards embracing E-mobility, the company has made a significant investment of KES 258 million this financial year. The funds will be allocated for the installation of charging stations, the purchase of light and heavy-duty electric vehicles, as well as electric motorbikes. The newly installed charging stations and the acquisition of two electric vehicles mark a significant step in the company's commitment to sustainable transportation and environmental protection.”

What is Included in The Investment?

The managing and chief executive officer said that this year the company has set aside KES 258 million for the adoption of e-mobility and the funds will be channeled towards the installation of chargers, the purchase of light and heavy-duty EVs, and electric motorbikes.

The two chargers located in Stima Plaza and Ruaraka will be opened for commercial use for free to the public, kenya power says it will help in research and development and will be commercialized later.

At the event, Kenya Power showcased two heavy-duty double-cabin electric vehicles (EVs), each costing KES 9 million.

These EVs will be used for regular operations and come with impressive features such as a 65-kilowatt-hour battery with a range of 300-320 kilometers. To put this into perspective, you can travel from Nairobi to Voi on a full charge without needing to recharge. This is a remarkable achievement and a significant step towards sustainable energy transportation.

The charger being used is the 50 DC kilowatt charger charging time is 1.5 hours and 3.5 hours using the 22 kilowatt AC charger at Ruaraka.

A “Bold Move”- Kenya Power Managing and Chief Executive Officer  Perspective 

According to Kenya Power Managing and Chief Executive Officer, “As we launch our first ever electric charger and the flagging of one of our heavy-duty double cabin electric vehicles, today’s event is a strategic move towards fostering the adoption of electric vehicles and reducing carbon emissions”.

The Kenyan government aims to reduce carbon emissions by promoting electric vehicle adoption. Last year, an African Climate Summit was held to discuss potential solutions, which include transitioning to renewable energy, carbon pricing, and sustainable transportation.

Electric vehicles (EVs) offer significant environmental advantages over conventional vehicles. Research has confirmed that EVs have a lower environmental impact.

In major cities like Nairobi, the pollution from conventional vehicles is evident, with higher emissions of greenhouse and air pollutants compared to EVs which have none.

EVs don’t have a tailpipe they produce zero direct emissions while in operation. They also have increased energy efficiency, EVs can convert 85 percent stored energy into motion than internal combustion engines and they can also recover some energy lost during braking and store it back in the battery further increasing the range and efficiency.

It is important to note that the production of batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) results in some carbon emissions. Surprisingly, the emissions generated during the production of EVs are higher than those generated by traditional vehicles.

Studies reveal that more than a third of the carbon dioxide emissions from electric cars are produced during the manufacturing process itself. However, when you consider the bigger picture, the emissions are generally offset over the lifespan of the vehicle as compared to a gas-powered car.

Kenya Power is gearing up for a more sustainable clean environment by launching electric stations all over the country, which is their ultimate goal by the year 2026. 

Why Electric vehicles are important in Kenya

Electric vehicles will play a very crucial role in Kenya to mitigate noise pollution as they are known to be very silent, they can also help reduce greenhouse emissions such as carbon dioxide and oil import spending.

EVs may seem expensive in Kenya, but in the long run, they will get cheaper than conventional cars in terms of repair and maintenance costs.

They can also have higher milage like in the case of the double cabin cars unveiled by Kenya Power which can go for over 300 km with a full charge without charging.

With EVs, you don’t have to worry about the hassle and bustle of fueling your vehicle, however with the slow but sure integration of electric stations you might struggle to find a station especially if your vehicle has zero charge.

Kenya aims to be the regional leader in EV adoption with over 2,079 EVs on the road as of June 2023. Out of 2,079, motorcycles account for 1,500 equivalent to 72.1 percent, 181 of them being TukTuks equivalent to 8.4 percent, and  20 electric buses.

we are seeing an integration of EVs in the transport sector with matatu saccos such as Super Metro adopting this technology which is spearheaded by BasiGo.

The  Future of Electric Vehicles in Nairobi and Kenya

Earlier, I stated that Kenya Power has allocated KES 258 million for the implementation of e-mobility. Additionally, Kenya Power intends to establish a universal charging station standard to encourage the widespread adoption of this technology. This will alleviate any concerns about charger compatibility with different vehicles.

The company has ambitious plans to expand its electric vehicle infrastructure by June 2025. It also aims to roll out 20 electric vehicles and 300 electric motorcycles by that date.

The company also plans to install charging stations in various locations, including Ruaraka, Donholm, Nakuru, Mombasa, Mtito Andei, Kisumu, Eldoret, Roysambu, the Nairobi electricity house, and Ragati. By the end of June 2024, these charging stations will be operational.

In the following year, by June 2025, Kenya Power intends to further expand its charging network to include Naivasha, Narok, Kisii, Kericho, Thika, Kiambu, Nyeri, Nanyuki, Meru, Embu, and Machakos.

The company's long-term goal is to establish charging stations in even more locations by 2026, reaching Muranga, Kajiado, Bungoma, Busia, Siaya, Kitale, Mwingi, Voi, Garissa, and Kakamega.

It’s quite evident that by 2026, almost the entire country will have an EV station and that's my hope as this will lead to mass adoption of these vehicles. The company also doesn't intend to compete with other stakeholders which is fair given it's the largest power distributor in the country.

Conclusion

Kenya Power and Lighting Company has made a commitment to install electric vehicle (EV) stations throughout the country, including in rural areas. This means that even long-distance travelers need not worry about their vehicle's charge running out before they reach their destination.

The company will also ensure that the chargers are compatible with all EVs for efficiency and mass adoption, which is a good move from the company.

I am very optimistic about these developments of e-mobility in the country, noise pollution, a good atmosphere to be in, especially in the major cities, and in the long run, EVs will become much cheaper as compared to gas vehicles.