Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on Wednesday, April 12 revealed his plan to lower the cost of electric vehicles as a way of wooing motorists.
Speaking to the press, the CS disclosed that the ministry is working to offer tax incentives to motorists and other investors in e-mobility.
"We need to provide incentives as a country. The initial cost of buying electric vehicles is higher than diesel vehicles. We are looking for tax incentives and other financial support to be provided to the private sector to ensure e-mobility is a success," he stated.
Furthermore, Murkomen detailed that his ministry had drafted a memo to be tabled to the cabinet on Tuesday.
"We already have a cabinet memo that will be tabled in parliament hopefully on Tuesday. It will discuss the legal and policy framework for e-mobility and once approved I will establish a taskforce that will encompass the entire sector including investors and the private sector" he stated.
His plan also involves the introduction of bigger electric buses in liaison with BasiGo which will reduce the number of vehicles on the road.
"Basigo will introduce 36-seater buses compared to the current 26, the bigger the bus the better," he explained.
According to the CS, some of the benefits of electric vehicles include reduced respiratory diseases, saving on foreign exchange, protect the environment among others.
"We want to be the leading country in low carbon emissions. This can be achieved through the adoption of mobility," he stated.
Furthermore, the CS noted that since all the vehicles will have cameras, the security and safety of the passengers will be enhanced.
He added that he was working with other stakeholders including researchers to come up with a framework and policies on the use of electric vehicles.
Murkomen was joined by Super Metro company managers who recently acquired electric buses from Basigo plying several routes in Nairobi.
"As a ministry, we are very committed to making e-mobility a reality," he affirmed.
