Kenya's e-bike scheme set to revolutionize transportation

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【Summary】The Kenyan government plans to introduce electric motorbikes nationwide to address pollution, health effects, and fuel costs. President Ruto aims to phase out combustion engine-powered motorbikes and generate 100% of Kenya's energy from renewable sources by 2030. African startup Spiro plans to set up 3,000 battery-charging and swapping stations in Kenya and potentially roll out over one million electric vehicles in the country.

FutureCar Staff Sep 03, 2023 9:17 AM PT

Kenya's e-bike scheme set to revolutionize transportation

The Kenyan government has announced plans to introduce electric motorbikes across the country. President William Ruto revealed the initiative in collaboration with African startup Spiro, just days before hosting the first Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi next week.

Kenya currently has about two million motorbikes on its roads, primarily used as "boda bodas" or two-wheeled taxis. President Ruto stated that the adoption of electric mobility is a crucial step in addressing pollution, health issues, and fuel costs.

President Ruto also emphasized the need to phase out combustion engine-powered motorbikes, as their increasing usage in Africa has significant implications for climate change and air quality. Although Africa contributes only a small percentage of global greenhouse gas emissions, it is disproportionately affected by climate change.

Spiro, an African startup, has already introduced nearly 10,000 electric bikes in several African countries, including Benin, Togo, Rwanda, and Uganda. The company plans to establish 3,000 battery-charging and swapping stations in Kenya, in addition to the 350 already present across Africa. They aim to roll out over one million electric vehicles throughout the country.

President Ruto, a prominent figure in African climate change efforts, stated that Kenya has the potential to generate 100 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2030. Currently, the country relies on renewable sources such as hydroelectric and geothermal power for more than 90 percent of its energy needs.

However, Kenya still faces challenges, including frequent power cuts. A recent massive outage affected several regions, including Nairobi and its international airport. Additionally, fuel prices have reached their highest levels in over a decade, adding to the economic hardship faced by Kenyans.

Despite these challenges, the number of registered electric vehicles in Kenya remains low, accounting for less than one percent of the total 4.4 million registered vehicles, according to government figures.