Chinese EVs boost green transformation in Kenya

On a bustling Monday morning, Patrick Opiyo drives his electric taxi, fulfilling ride-hailing orders in the busy streets of Nairobi, Kenya. Thanks to the car's quiet operation, his passengers are able to relax or even work without distractions in his new car.

Like most drivers in Kenya, previously Opiyo had been driving a fossil-fuel taxi. However, soaring petrol prices in Kenya pushed him to consider an EV. And when he learned that Moja EV Kenya, the distributor of the Chinese electric vehicle brand Neta, would launch electric taxis in Nairobi in October, he did not hesitate to switch to a new electric vehicle.

In late October, the first 30 Neta EVs were launched in Nairobi, and by the end of the year, a total of 100 EV taxis will be added to the city's taxi fleet, according to Wang Aiping, chief executive officer of Moja EV Kenya, adding the measure will contribute to reducing air pollution from the exhaust from conventional fossil fuel cars in Nairobi and boost the green transformation of the country's transport.

In November, petrol prices in Kenya reached $1.39 per liter, significantly higher than the global average of $1.16, according to Kenya's Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority.

Wycliffe Mandera, another taxi driver in Nairobi who turned to a Neta EV, highlighted the cost advantage: for a daily driving of about 200 kilometers, fueling a petrol car may cost $29, while charging an electric car requires only $6.

Initially skeptical about EV technology, Mandera said, "Once I got one, the savings were undeniable."

Opiyo often visits a free charging station to power up his taxi. In Nairobi, there are two such stations, installed by Kenya Power in April, available for the moment. These facilities provide free charging services to the public, supporting sustainable transportation solutions in the city. There are also some charging stations for electric vehicles that require drivers to pay in the city.

"I consider myself a green enthusiast," Opiyo said. "It brings me great joy to see more entities in this country going green, and I'm proud that my vehicle is contributing to this goal."

According to statistics from Moja EV, Kenya's taxi market is predominantly made up of secondhand fossil fuel-powered vehicles, each emitting approximately 20 kilograms of carbon dioxide per 100 kilometers. On average, a single fossil fuel taxi contributes an estimated 15 metric tons of carbon emissions annually. Older diesel vehicles also worsen air quality by releasing toxic pollutants such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides.

In contrast, the majority of Kenya's electricity comes from renewable sources, including hydropower, geothermal, wind, and solar energy.

"Replacing fuel-powered cars with EVs will systematically upgrade the country's green transport operations," said Wang.

China's EV industry has flourished over the past decade, accumulating technical expertise and production experience. Wang noted that representatives from Kenya's Matatu Owners' Association and Kenya Commercial Bank traveled to China in November to explore the electric bus market as part of efforts to advance the green transformation of Kenya's public transport system.

Moreover, Moja EV plans to add 500 electric taxis next year and is preparing to establish an assembly plant in Kenya. The plant is expected to create around 3,500 direct and indirect jobs while eliminating tariffs on electric vehicles, further promoting their adoption across the country.

Kenya's long-term strategy for greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets net zero by 2050. This goal is also supported by some other Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers, such as BYD, whose electric buses running in Nairobi were introduced by BasiGo, an African electric mobility company.

Zhang Mingxiao contributed to this story.

edithmutethya@chinadaily.com.cn