A Kenyan businessman recently set out to swap petrol for lelectric power in his driveway. Amos Kibaru, who already runs his home, office, and manufacturing plant on solar, decided it was time to ditch the fuel pump and go full electric on the road.
On paper, it was simple: buy a brand-new EV from China, ship it to Mombasa, and enjoy guilt-free driving with zero petrol bills. In reality, it turned into a costly lesson in Kenya’s import ecosystem, one that took his dream car from a about KES 2.7 million Alibaba listing to a KES 6.8 million final bill.
Amos had been eyeing local EV options like BYD, Skyworth, Haval, and Jetour but the dealer prices were, in his words, “crazy” compared to what he saw online. So, he went to Alibaba and found exactly what he wanted: a 2025 Neta X crossover SUV, top specs, single motor, 86 kWh lithium phosphate battery, and a 600 km range.
The price? USD 19,000 (about KES 2.7 million) including shipping. Payment went through Alibaba’s secure escrow system, which only releases funds once the buyer confirms delivery, and he booked RORO shipping for $1,700. The SUV was on the water within days, heading for Mombasa.
Kenya’s 65.5% EV Tariff Reality
This is where most first-time importers get a shock. Kenya’s tax rate on EVs may not be as high as on some petrol cars, but it’s still hefty:
- Import duty – 35%
- Excise duty – 10%
- VAT – 16%
- Import Declaration Fee (IDF) – 2.5%
- Railway Development Levy – 2%
On Amos’ declared $19,000 value, that meant KES 1.99 million in taxes before the car even touched Kenyan roads.
The Hidden Extras
EVs don’t have a Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVOC), so clearing them means paying for several inspections and certifications:
- Verification – KES 15,000
- KEBS – KES 129,800
- Works inspection – KES 6,000
- Shipping handling – KES 12,000
- CFS (Container Freight Station) – KES 42,000
- Radiation check – KES 1,000
That’s another KES 205,500 gone. At this point, Amos calculated his total landed cost at about KES 4.9 million.
The Customs Curveball
Then the plot twist: customs officers in Mombasa refused to accept Amos’ official Alibaba invoice and assigned their own valuation, one that magically added another KES 1.9M to the tax bill. Whether this was standard practice or something murkier, Amos can’t say. But he had to pay up to avoid his new EV being auctioned off.
Final cost? KES 6.8M.
Was It Worth It?
One month in, Amos says yes. Partly because he’s already saved around KES 70,000 in fuel compared to his old Mercedes ML 350. The EV’s lower maintenance needs (no oil changes, fewer moving parts) are also a win. And the 600km range means he can do a Nairobi–Mombasa run without much fuss.
Still, he admits the import process was an emotional rollercoaster that could flatten the enthusiasm of any would-be EV adopter.
Kenya Claims Climate Leadership, Yet Taxes EVs Heavily
Here’s the jarring reality: while Kenya is positioning itself as a regional climate leader, the tax system lumps EVs (iconic green tech) into the same burdensome bracket as carbon-guzzlers. On one hand, Kenya has been advancing bold climate-friendly policies:
- National Tree Growing Day: Declared a public holiday in November 2023 to plant up to 500 million seedlings, part of the drive to plant 15 billion trees by 2032 and hit 30% tree cover.
- Renewable energy powerhouse: Over 80% of electricity comes from renewables like geothermal, wind, hydro, and solar. Projects like Olkaria, Lake Turkana Wind Power, and others underline Kenya’s clean energy ambition.
- Institutional commitment: A dedicated State Department for Environment & Climate Change was created in 2023, and robust frameworks like the Climate Change Act, NDCs targeting a ~30% emission cut by 2030, carbon market regulation, and climate-smart agriculture initiatives are in place.
- Cutting-edge climate taxes and pledges: In June 2025, Kenya pledged at a UN summit to tax premium air travel as part of global green taxation efforts.
Yet, for the very technology that would help reduce emissions from tailpipes and power generation, Kenya imposed a staggering 65.5% tariff on importing an EV. That means your dream plug-in ride quickly turns into a luxury bill.
Lessons for Would-Be EV Importers
From Amos’ experience, here’s what you might expect:
- Budget for more than double the sticker price . Your KES 2.7M Alibaba bargain could easily land at over KES 6M.
- Understand the 65.5% tariff because even “green” cars don’t get a free pass.
- Factor in inspections — KEBS, verification, radiation checks, and other fees are compulsory.
- Brace for customs revaluations because your receipts aren’t always the final word.
- Shipping is the easy part since RORO from China is fast and relatively affordable.
- The savings are real, eventually — fuel and maintenance costs drop sharply once you’re on the road.
While we can’t independently verify every detail of Amos’ story, it’s a telling snapshot of what can happen when you try to self-import an EV into Kenya. That tempting Alibaba price? By the time the keys are in your hand, the number could be two or three times higher, and that’s if everything goes smoothly.
EVs can save you money in the long run. Just don’t expect the road to get one into Kenya to be smooth or cheap.
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