A Kenyan start-up, BasiGo, is set to deliver 15 electric buses to public service vehicle (PSV) operators in Nairobi, offering a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to traditional diesel-powered buses. The move towards electric buses comes as the Kenyan government seeks to modernize the country’s PSV sector and tackle issues of pollution and climate change.
The first two electric buses have been delivered to Citi Hoppa and Super Metro(local PSV companies), marking the beginning of a shift towards environmentally friendly public transport in the country. The Kenyan government has enacted legislation to promote the transition to e-mobility, including the Climate Change Act of 2016 and the Energy Act of 2019. The government is also providing incentives for public service vehicles, motorcycles, and commercial transporters to acquire EVs, with the Finance Act of 2019 reducing excise tax on 100 percent EVs from 20 percent to 10 percent.
Kipchumba Murkomen, the Cabinet Secretary for Roads and Transport, has stated that the government is committed to providing an enabling environment for the development and mainstreaming of e-mobility, with fiscal incentives for importers, manufacturers, assemblers, sellers, and spare part dealers.
BasiGo’s electric buses take 2 to 3 hours to fully charge and can cover a total of 250 kilometers, providing a practical and sustainable solution to public transportation needs. The government is also promoting the use of high-capacity vehicles in public transport for cities through the Bus Rapid Transit system (BRT), with charging points established to facilitate the charging of electric cars.
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