Jeremiah Kiplagat, Director at the Institute of Energy, which heads the innovation unit of Kenya Power, on Saturday, May 20, disclosed that the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority had approved the request to lower power rates for electric car owners.
Kiplagat indicated that EPRA had agreed to reduce the tariff to Ksh17 during peak time. He added the rates would enable electric car owners to buy electric tokens at Ksh17 per unit from Ksh27 per unit for domestic use.
"EPRA considered our proposal, and we have a tariff of Ksh17 during peak time and; that there is a benefit during off-peak which is half that rate because actually what we want is to move people so that when you are parking your vehicle at night it is charging at the same time," Kiplagat stated during an interview on Citizen TV.
He lauded the move indicating that it would help in the greening agenda advocated by President William Ruto. Kiplagat added that the move would help the utility firm increase sales and in the long term, help lower power charges for domestic use.
"By doing that, we will be contributing to the green agenda, and also, growing our sales which will eventually lead to lower costs of power," he insisted.
Industry players lauded the move explaining that it was one of the incentives for increasing the uptake of electric use. They, however, pleaded with President William Ruto's administration to reduce taxes imposed on purchasing electric cars.
To cut carbon emissions and increase EV car uptake, industry players want the government to strike deals with manufacturers to ensure Kenyans get affordable cars.
In May, two matatu companies added electric buses to their fleet. Metro Trans East Africa Limited acquired five new fleets of electric buses on Thursday morning, May 11, as part of its ambitious plan to improve service delivery.
"Welcome to the big launch this morning. MetroTrans EA Limited in conjunction with BasiGo will this morning be launching five electric fleets at the Ambassador stage and later offer Free rides to Utawala. Don't miss this," the statement read in part.
Embassava Sacco, on Friday, May 19, launched an electric bus to ply Nairobi routes in partnership with BasiGo, an electric manufacturing bus company.
The Sacco, which serves the city's Embakasi, Savannah, Pipeline, and Donholm estates joined others like City Shuttle that already have electric fleets.
