Electric Go, a leading provider of electric vehicle (EV) charging solutions in Kenya, has launched its first EV charging station in Naivasha Town. The station is located at the Naivasha Shell petrol station, and it is the first of 300 EV charging stations that Electric Go plans to launch across the country within a year.
The launch of the Naivasha EV charging station is a major milestone for Electric Go, and it is a sign of the growing adoption of EVs in Kenya. The company’s managing director, Eve Maina, said that Electric Go is committed to helping Kenya transition to a cleaner and more sustainable transportation system.
“We intend to champion the adoption of e-transport solutions in the country and help the country move from fossil or carbon oils in powering the motor industry,” Maina said.
Maina noted that in the last eight months, the number of electric car users in Kenya has increased from less than 1,000 to the current 1,500. She said that the numbers will continue growing as the charging infrastructure becomes more accessible.
“We intend to help the Government in its plan to increase electric vehicles in the country by 2025 to over 200,000 which is over 5% of all the registered vehicles in the country,” she added.
The Naivasha EV charging station is powered by renewable energy sources, such as solar. This helps to mitigate the lack of charging infrastructure in Kenya, and it also makes EV charging more affordable.
The Government of Kenya has set tariffs for EV charging at Ksh 17 per kilowatt-hour during peak hours and Ksh 8 per kilowatt-hour during off-peak. This makes EV charging more affordable than gasoline or diesel, and it is a major incentive for Kenyans to switch to EVs.
United Nations (UN) Habitat Assistant Secretary-General and Deputy Director Michal Mlynar was present at the launch of the Naivasha EV charging station. He praised the initiative, saying that it is a step in the right direction for Kenya.
“Such ventures should be encouraged for a sustainable future as it promotes accessible charging solution and other hybrid solutions to encourage electric car adoption in the country,” Mlynar said.
He urged both the National and County Governments to support these initiatives, and he urged the youth in the country to lead this change to electric vehicles.
“By 2050, car producers will shift to producing hybrid or electric vehicles and hence, Green solution is the way to go,” Mlynar stated.
He revealed that 70% of carbon emissions in urban areas is caused by motor-vehicles cars and this should be reduced ostensibly by 2030.
“Any small contribution to reduce these emissions is a step in the right direction in order to save our environment,” Mlynar said.
He suggested that funding for small scale companies involved in this project in the country should be encouraged and added that there was need to bring on board private institutions and local and international lenders to help grow this venture which he said was on very high demand.
The launch of the Naivasha EV charging station is a major step forward for the adoption of EVs in Kenya. With more charging stations available, more Kenyans will be able to switch to EVs, and this will help to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
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