Imported electric motor vehicles and electric motorcycle batteries will be required to undergo mandatory tests to ensure compliance with technical regulations and standards, a government agency has announced.
Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) said the batteries will be required to undergo mandatory Pre-Export Verification of Conformity at the country of origin by its appointed Pre-Verification of Conformity (PVOC) agents.
“Please note that only electric motorcycle and electric motor vehicle batteries accompanied by Certificates of Conformity (CoCs) issued by KEBS-appointed PVOC agents shall be allowed into the country,” the agency said in a statement.
KEBS noted that the mandatory tests will commence on January 1, 2024.
Under the programme, all regulated goods imported to Kenya are assessed and a certificate of Conformity (COC) is issued as evidence of compliance of the goods to local or approved international standards.
The program is a conformity assessment program applied to products at the respective exporting countries, to ensure their compliance with the applicable Kenyan Technical Regulations and Mandatory Standards or approved specifications.
Kenya’s transportation industry is moving towards electric vehicles and motorcycles to reduce carbon emissions.
The country seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 32 per cent by 2030 by transitioning to electric vehicles.
The government plans to set up 1,000 charging stations, and incentives are being provided to promote local manufacturing of e-mobility products.
The government approved a new tariff for electric vehicles on April 1, making them up to eight times cheaper than traditional cars.
Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) Chairman Julius Opio, said strategic amendments to taxation laws have the potential to unlock opportunities in the electric vehicle sector.
Opio believes that widespread EV adoption has the potential to turn Kenya into a regional EV hub.
Kenya intends to increase electric mobility adoption and has set a target of 5 per cent of all newly registered vehicles being electric by 2025.