Gov't introduces special number plates for electric vehicles

The government has rolled out new vehicle registration number plates coloured green for motorists who own electric vehicles and motorbikes.

Speaking on Wednesday during the launch of the e-mobility policy dubbed Draft National Electric Mobility Policy at KICC, Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said the move aims to promote faster adoption of electronic vehicles in the country.

CS Murkomen, who said he was working in conjunction with his Investment, Trade and Industry counterpart Rebecca Miano, argued that the green plates would help create awareness and encourage more people to shift to e-mobility.

“To promote faster adoption of EVs, we have begun the process of assigning green-coloured number plates to all-electric vehicles, including two-wheelers,” he stated.

“Special plates will help raise awareness about EVs among the general public and encourage more people to consider switching to e-mobility.”

According to Murkomen, the new policy will guide the development of electric mobility in all transportation modes including roads, rail, air and maritime with a long-term goal of ensuring the current government vehicles are replaced with EVs.

He noted that motorists who currently have number plates in different shades of green such as the county enforcement officers would have to apply for new number plates.

“We are talking to the Cabinet a proposal for a phased fleet replacement programme for all GoK vehicles from internal combustion engines to EVs,” he stated.

“This will, in the long run, save taxpayers billions of shillings on fuelling and other maintenance costs, not to mention the immense environmental benefits that come from the shift.”

The CS underscored the environmental benefits of shifting to e-mobility saying it would significantly cut emissions of greenhouse gases, reduce the petroleum import bill currently at Ksh.628.4 billion, and promote local manufacturing thus creating jobs for Kenyans.

In the same light, he said the government would partner with the private sector, international investors, and academic institutions to build the necessary infrastructure for the project.

Among the infrastructures to be set up, Murkomen added, would be charging stations at the ministry headquarters.