- Some state entities like Kenya Power and KenGen have already cut on the importation of fossil-fuel cars.
- The transport sector utilizes 72% of petroleum products that are imported into the country.
Image: VIKKI KEINGATI
Kenya will ride on the e-Mobility policy expected to be in place before year-end to ban the importation of certain fossil fuel vehicles.
Michael Muchiri, head of Secretariat, National Electric Mobility Taskforce at the Ministry of Transport said the state will lead in taking the bold step as the country gradually phase out combustion mobility.
"Some state entities like Kenya Power and KenGen have already cut on importation of fossil-fuel cars. The policy ready by December will see state entities take the lead on the ban as e-mobility infrastructure expands,'' Muchiri said.
He added that political goodwill is crucial in promoting e-mobility, as demonstrated by Ethiopia’s bold decision to ban certain fossil fuel vehicle imports, despite opposition from diplomats.
"This policy shift, while disruptive, shows that firm government action can lead to long-term benefits."
Early this year, Ethiopia banned the import of non‑electric vehicles, becoming the first country worldwide to prohibit internal combustion engine cars completely. The ban was confirmed on January 29, 2024.
The country's Ministry of Transport and Logistics said it will no longer permit fossil‑fuelled vehicles to enter Ethiopia because it cannot afford to import gasoline and diesel.
Late last month, the Ethiopian government ordered all diplomatic missions and international organisations not to import petrol and diesel vehicles.
"All those with diplomatic privileges are required to continue importing only electric vehicles as per the direction enforced for duty-free importation of vehicles," the statement read.
Muchiri praised the draft mobility policy as progressive and a great catalyst in the country's quest to build a more sustainable transportation network.
He said that the policy responds to critical issues inhibiting the implementation of the gradual adoption of the clean transport system.
The main objectives of the policy include the development of an integrated approach to promote the adoption of e-mobility involving all related MDAs, promote local manufacturing and assembly for EVs, and enhancement of e-mobility infrastructural capacity.
It also seeks to enhance local technical capacity and skills across the e-mobility value chain, improve fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to accelerate the adoption of EVs and scale up socioeconomic measures to promote EV adoption.
He, however, acknowledged that the road to implementation is burdened with challenges that demand careful navigation.
"There is an urgent need for extensive infrastructure development, including charging stations and grid upgrades, alongside incentives to spur private investment,'' Muchiri said.
Others are financial constraints that require creative solutions to secure funding amidst budgetary pressures, Technological integration and public acceptance and awareness.
In Kenya, the transport sector is almost entirely powered by fossil fuels, given that the sector utilises about 72 per cent of petroleum products that are imported into the country.
In 2015, the transport sector accounted for 13 per cent of GHG emissions with projections indicating that the same would increase to 17 per cent by 2030 due to population growth and industrialisation among other factors.
Domestic transport emissions have increased by 59.4 per cent in the last decade, with road transport being the most significant contributor.
In 2020, Kenya submitted an ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat that committed to reducing emissions by three per cent by 2030.
As one of the main contributors to emissions in the country, the transport sector is at the heart of the realisation of this target.
The National Climate Change Action Plan (NCCAP) 2018- 2022 and its successor 2023-2027 identify the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) as one of the climate actions in the transport and energy sectors.
Equally, the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (2020) envisions that by 2025, five per cent of all registered vehicles in Kenya will be electric-powered.
Kenya projects importing approximately 20,000 electric vehicles every year to meet growing demand and reduce the burden of using fossil fuels.
The Kenya Economic Report 2023, issued by the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (Kippra), a government think tank, said the initiative of importing more electric vehicles would reduce dependence on fossil fuels, which has contributed to a higher cost of living.
According to Kippra, 9,952 units would constitute five percent of the approximately 400,000 imported vehicles in the country, the majority of which are motorbikes.
"This will result in more electric vehicles, leading to an increased number in the country. Based on this policy direction, this will comprise 5,375 electric motor vehicles, 14,260 electric motor and autocycles, and 317 electric 3-wheelers," Kippra said.