Kenya says developing infrastructure to integrate electric vehicles

NAIROBI - Kenya has started developing infrastructure to integrate electric motor vehicles to help ease burdens caused by fossil fuel driven vehicles, an official said on Tuesday.

Opere Nyaroya, assistant manager of motor vehicle inspection at the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) revealed that the government is developing standards in readiness for the launch of the vehicles in the market.

"We have started automating inspection centres in readiness for the official launch of the vehicles in the country," Nyaroya said during a workshop on integration of electric two and three wheelers into existing urban transport modes in Kenya.

He said that so far two centres are ongoing automation in Nairobi and Mombasa and that they are expected to be ready soon.

"We are also in the process of re-training motor vehicle inspectors to adapt to electric vehicles following the expected change," the official added.

Nyaroya said that Kenya is taking a leading role following advice from the UN Environment to help reduce air pollution that causes ailments to many unsuspecting people.

He said that the government is hopeful that the initiative will contribute towards the conservation of environment.

James Nyangaya, a lecturer at the University of Nairobi's Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering urged the government to enact policy to allow populations to start using electric vehicles and electric two and three wheelers.

"There is need to consider giving people incentives by zero rating two and three electric wheelers spare parts," he added.

The lecturer noted that there is need for clear policy on air quality, energy security, sustainable capability, social welfare and the high upfront purchase cost.

He said that there is need to develop standards that carter for vehicle safety, charging system, equipment safety and safety of personnel.

"There is need for a huge reduction of vehicles using fossil fuel in Africa to reduce climate change demand," said David Rubia, UN Environment air quality and mobility unit program officer.

Rubia said that with the increase of motor bicycles in Kenya, the introduction of electric two and three wheeler's is a strategic initiative for mobility.

He noted that the global environmental body has ongoing projects in Morocco, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Ethiopia that are aimed at switching from fossil fuel usage to electric.

"We are piloting with the mail delivery firms, the police, commercial motor bicycle operators by assessing how they operate with the aim of introducing electric wheelers," Rubia added.

Pavel Oimeke, director general of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), said that the adoption of the electric vehicles is the growth opportunity for the environment and health sector that has suffered due to the massive production of fumes from vehicles using fossil fuel.

He said that ERC experts are conducting a baseline survey on what need to be done before officially launching electric vehicles in the country.