Stakeholders in the electric vehicle industry have asked Kenyans to embrace and accept the technology in order to help the government’s continuous efforts to transition to cleaner, greener, and more sustainable e-mobility alternatives.
Various sector participants claimed the tremendous potential in the acceptance of electric vehicles could be accomplished by creating awareness on sustainable mobility and helping potential investors in alternative fuel technologies during an Electric Vehicle Auto Expo conducted in Naivasha.
Managing Director of Vehicle and Equipment Leasing Limited [VAELL] Bertha Mvati, praised the government’s support for the adoption of electric vehicles, which he said will assist the country meet its climate change obligations by reducing carbon emissions and noise pollution.
The expo, according to Mvati, is opportune since it aims at promoting the use of electric mobility equipment such as vehicles and motorbikes at a time when the country is experiencing fuel shortages, emphasising that “the future of mobility is electric”.
Mvati, on the other hand, requested that relevant government authorities analyse and evaluate electric car incentives and stimulus that would stimulate greater adoption locally, such as tax exemptions for electric vehicles to close the price gap with conventional vehicles.
“The government should review these tax measures as consumers are concerned with the high cost of purchasing new electric car as compared to a fuel one,” said Mvati.
She went on to say that the government should provide flexible incentives to local electric car assemblers, manufacturers, and battery importers, as well as support for the development of auto charging ports and related infrastructure.
The director also advocated for more public-private partnerships to create a more favourable climate for private entities to invest in the development of electric infrastructure and encourage market competitiveness.
Electric vehicle exhibitors promoted their vehicles as ecologically friendly, providing a more pleasurable driving and passenger experience with lower maintenance costs than gasoline-powered vehicles.
Bolt Regional Manager Kenneth Micah said the firm has already developed a Green choice service on its mobile application platform, which allows riders to choose an environmentally friendly electric taxi.
Micah explained that the company presently offers reduced commission rates to fleet owners who adopt electric vehicles on its platform, which has resulted in the company’s electric taxis reaching 100 units.
Electric automobiles, he added, may save users up to 40 percent per kilometer due to cheap operating expenses when compared to gasoline cars.
Future cities, he argued, must provide efficient and ecologically friendly mobility options to reduce individual reliance on personal automobiles and improve quality of life by reducing traffic, toxic emissions, and noise pollution.
Micah stated that the stakeholders have engaged both national and county governments where they operate on the importance of supporting electric-related infrastructure and support systems, such as charging points, in both urban and rural locations.