It has been two years of drafts, proposals, and promises, but the government has finally made its move. As of yesterday, the National E-Mobility Policy is no longer just a PDF on a ministry website, it is active, operational, and arguably the most significant shift in Kenya’s transport history since the introduction of the SGR.
Here is the news as it happened, followed by my thoughts on what this actually means for you.
Green Plates and a $5 Billion Problem:
Yesterday at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir officially launched the National Electric Mobility Policy. The headline-grabbing feature of this launch was the physical rollout of green-coloured number plates.
Going forward, every electric vehicle (EV) in Kenya, whether a two-wheeler, a three-wheeler, or a car, will bear these distinct plates. If you already own an EV with standard plates, the government has mandated a switch to the new green identifiers.
Why the rush?
According to CS Chirchir, the motivation is primarily economic. Kenya currently spends an estimated US$5 billion (KES 628.4 billion) annually on petroleum imports. This massive bill drains the country’s foreign exchange reserves and leaves the economy vulnerable to global oil price shocks.
By shifting to EVs, the government aims to leverage Kenya’s local energy grid, which is over 90% renewable, to power transport. “Electric mobility is no longer optional, but a strategic necessity for Kenya’s economic resilience,” Chirchir stated.
The Numbers & Incentives
The official Press Release cites some eye-watering statistics. The Ministry claims that as of 2025, Kenya had registered 39,324 EVs, a massive leap from just 1,378 in 2022.
To sustain this growth, the Finance Bill 2025 has codified specific incentives:
- Zero-Rated VAT for electric buses, electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, and lithium-ion batteries.
- 0% Excise Duty for electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, and lithium-ion batteries.
The launch was attended by key development partners, including the EU and GIZ, signaling strong donor backing for this transition.
Our Take: The Good, The Bad, and The “Missing” Car
That is the official line. But after reading through the policy documents and listening to the speeches, several things stand out. Some promising, others concerning. Here is OUR analysis of what was actually said (and what was conveniently left out).
1. The “Car Tax” Trap
If you look closely at the incentives listed above, you will notice a glaring omission. The Finance Bill 2025 offers zero-rated VAT and Excise Duty for bicycles, motorcycles, and buses.
Where are the personal cars? By omission, it appears that personal electric cars (sedans, SUVs) do not enjoy the same blanket zero-rating on VAT. The government’s strategy is clear: they are subsidising “mass transit” (buses) and the “hustler economy” (bodabodas). The middle-class Kenyan looking to import a Nissan Leaf, a BYD Seal or a Tesla Model Y seems to be on their own regarding VAT relief.
While this makes sense for a “Bottom-Up” agenda, it creates a lopsided revolution. You cannot decarbonise the roads by only targeting two-wheelers while leaving the heaviest polluters (aging petrol cars) as the cheaper option for families.
2. The Data Discrepancy
We need to talk about the numbers. The official Press Release states clearly: “As at 2025, Kenya had registered cumulatively 39,324 EVs.”
However, independent reports and even comments from other officials at the same event cited a figure closer to 24,000. That is a discrepancy of nearly 15,000 vehicles.
- Are we counting unregistered farm equipment?
- Are we counting e-bikes that don’t have number plates?
- Or is this just a data consolidation error?
For a policy this major, the data needs to be unimpeachable. We cannot plan a national charging grid if we don’t even know how many cars are actually on the road.
3. The “Green Plate” Paradox
We all like the idea of the green plate. It is a status symbol. It says, “I am the future.” But right now, that is all it is.
In 2024, when this was first mooted, we were promised perks: cheaper parking, priority lanes, etc. Yesterday, those perks were mentioned as things that might happen if County Governments agree. There is a risk here. If the green plate becomes a target for traffic police (“Here comes a rich person with an EV”) rather than a pass for benefits, adoption will stall. The government needs to gazette actual, tangible benefits for these plates immediately – otherwise, it’s just a KES 3,000 sticker.
4. The Infrastructure Reality
Principal Secretary Dr. Juma Mukhwana was honest enough to admit that charging infrastructure is “concentrated in Nairobi.” This is the Achilles’ heel of the entire project.
You can give me a tax break and a green plate, but if people cannot drive to their rural homes because there are no chargers past Nakuru or past Machakos, then there’s no need to buy an EV. The policy talks about a “National Electric Mobility Strategy” to fix this, but until we see chargers at every “Shell” and “Total” along the highway, this will remain a Nairobi-centric revolution.
Final Verdict
The launch of the National E-Mobility Policy is a massive win for Kenya’s long-term economic health. We are finally moving to a transport system powered by our energy (Geothermal/Hydro), not imported oil. That is sovereignty.
But for the average Kenyan driver? Unless you are riding a boda or taking a bus, the revolution hasn’t quite arrived for you yet. You get the green plate, but you might still be paying full tax.
