Kenya is gradually transitioning to the use of electronic cars. With the rising prices of fuel and petrol in the world due to inflation, It won’t be long before we see more charging hubs and electronic model vehicles.
An electronic car can travel 150 kilometers on full charge, the car is powerful and silent and conserves the environment from pollution. Despite this advantages there are some barriers that discourage Kenyans from buying Electronic cars. There are few charging stations, high purchase cost and limited car models to choose from which the Government of Kenya has to deal with and set policies to ensure a smooth transition.
Charging stations for electronic cars in Kenya include;
- Thika Road Mall – Roysambu (off Thika Road)
- Two Rivers Mall – Limuru Road.
- Holy Family Basilica Parking Silo – CBD.
- The Hub – Karen.
- Sarit Centre – Westlands.
Countries such as the United Kingdom (UK) have revealed a climate plan to burn the use of vehicles using fuel or petrol and transition to the use of electric cars, thus car makers are under pressure to quicken their electronic car plans.
Volvo car, a Swedish car maker has announced its transition to start selling electric cars by 2030. To ease the transition, electric cars will start to cost the same as those using petrol between 2025 and 2029, depending on the car type. This is an effort for the world to save the environment from pollution.
Electric Motorbikes In Kenya
Back in March last year, The United Nations Development Programme (UNEP) launched a pilot electric motorbike. The good news is that the bike can be assembled here in Kenya and made locally.
The Kenya Powers is to partner with UNEP and put up electric hubs for the charging of the motorbikes. The boda boda industry in Kenya has become an employment sector for young people and they are commonly used in the rural areas, to navigate through the bad roads.
What matters now is if the bikes will be accepted to the market. This will only depend on the price and availability of charging spots, especially in the rural areas where they are a mode of transport and source of income to many youths.