Kenya launches first electric bus charging station

Kenya launched its first public electric bus charging station on Wednesday in an effort to accelerate the country’s transition to green mobility.

According to Jit Bhattacharya, CEO of the Kenyan company BasiGo, Kenya Power assisted in the development of the high-power DC rapid charging station, which can charge six electric buses at once.

“The charging station is the first to be connected to Kenya’s new e-mobility tariff that was approved in March this year that provides low-cost power for electric vehicle charging during night-time hours when the country has a surplus of renewable energy supply,” Bhattacharya said.

Joseph Siror, managing director and CEO of Kenya Power, said the transport sector in the country currently contributes to 12 per cent of all greenhouse gas emissions.

“Emissions of the transport sector are projected to rise to 17 per cent in 2030, and in order to combat this trend, the e-mobility sector ought to be supported to grow and take off in the country,” he added.