Kenya receives largest batch of electric buses as it eyes transition to clean energy

Kenya has received a fleet of fifteen electric buses as it inches closer to phasing out gasoline and petrol-powered Public Service Vehicles (PSVs).

The buses arrived at the Port of Mombasa on Tuesday and they are the largest consignment of electric buses to the region as the country looks to transition to clean energy.

According to the Kenya Ports Authority, the electric buses were shipped by BYD Automotive; the largest manufacturer of electric vehicles in the world following a successful trial of two pilot buses which are currently operational in Nairobi.

"Morning Christina is among 39 vessels expected at the port of Mombasa in the next two weeks," the authority said.

Just last week, electricity generating company KenGen announced that it will establish 30 electric vehicle (EVs) charging stations in 2023 to add to the two existing EV charging stations in Nairobi and Naivasha.

As a start, the company unveiled its first four electric vehicles which will be primarily used for data collection and policy development ahead of the project’s expansion next year as the firm diversifies its revenues to cover the e-mobility sector.

“The four acquired EVs will give the company first-hand experience and data on electric vehicles. The EV revolution is here with us and countries around the world are racing to phase out gasoline and petrol cars,” said KenGen Acting Managing Director Abraham Serem.

This was a month after Kenya Power unveiled plans to switch to electric vehicles while phasing out fossil-fuel-powered vehicles and motorbikes from its fleet.

The firm in September said it has set aside an initial Ksh.40 million plan to initiate the switch including the purchase of three electric vehicles (EVs)-two pickups and one four-wheel drive as a pilot.

Kenya Power is set to test its electric vehicle (EV) system in Nairobi and Nakuru and the phase which is expected to take up to March 2023 has been advertised as a proof of concept for the company’s proposed e-mobility system.

Already, two Kenyan EV companies have launched buses as they strive to tap into the e-mobility sector.

Roam Motors last month unveiled a 77-seater electric mass transit bus dubbed "Roam Rapid" which has a 384 kWh battery, giving it a range of 360 kilometers and a top speed of 70 kilometers per hour.

The bus, built in Nairobi, will run along Mombasa Road, Waiyaki Way, and the Thika Super Superhighway.

Earlier this year, BasiGo released its 25-seater electric bus, which was designed and assembled with BYD Automotive parts.

The bus features a four-hour charge capacity retention, allowing for a 250-kilometer range before recharging.