The government has rolled out distinctive green number plates for electric vehicles in a move aimed at promoting cleaner transport and positioning Kenya as a regional e-mobility hub.
The new plates were unveiled on Tuesday at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) by Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, who represented President William Ruto during the launch.
CS Chirchir called on the more than 24,000 electric vehicle owners in the country to begin replacing their current number plates with the new green ones.
He said the replacement would be done gradually, noting that the cost has been set at KSh 3,000.
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“Number plates are not free, and the materials required to produce them are not always readily available. We are therefore asking EV owners to progressively switch to the green plates. The cost is only three thousand shillings, and we will work to fast-track the process,” Chirchir said.
When asked whether the new plates come with incentives, the CS said the main value lies in visibility and national branding.
“These plates are good optics for our country. They show the direction we are taking as a nation,” he said.
National E-Mobility Policy Launched
During the same event, the CS also launched Kenya’s National E-Mobility Policy, which seeks to create a clear legal, institutional, and regulatory framework to support the adoption of electric vehicles.
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Reading President Ruto’s speech, Chirchir said the policy will encourage local manufacturing and assembly of electric vehicles while strengthening technical skills across the sector.
The policy also focuses on expanding charging infrastructure, building local capacity, and introducing fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to accelerate the transition to clean transport.
Kenya Positioned as a Regional Hub
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Africa’s electric vehicle market is projected to grow by 27 per cent over the next 15 years. Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda and Uganda currently account for about 60 per cent of EV sales in sub-Saharan Africa.
Kenya is expected to play a leading role, with sales projected to reach between 42,000 and 70,000 units by 2030, largely due to the lower total cost of ownership for electric vehicles.
The country also enjoys a strong renewable energy base, with 93 per cent of its electricity generated from hydro, geothermal and wind power.
Officials say Kenya’s growing network of EV manufacturers, importers, charging companies and service providers is already attracting new investments and partnerships, further strengthening its position as a regional e-mobility leader.
