Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Kenyans.co.ke
Published on 2024-04-10 10:33:51
The Transport Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, unveiled green-colored number plates for electric vehicles in March, with plans to issue them to over 3,700 vehicles. A recent report by the Energy Petroleum and Regulatory Authority (EPRA) revealed that there are currently 3,753 electric vehicles in the country, with a significant increase recorded in vehicle registrations in 2024.
During the first half of the financial year 2023/2024, it was highlighted that 2,694 electric vehicles were registered, marking a 467% increase from the previous year. The surge in registrations can be attributed to government initiatives such as the introduction of the e-mobility tariff, a reduction in excise duty on electric vehicles from 20% to 10%, and exempting fully electric cars from Value Added Tax (VAT).
In a bid to encourage the adoption of environmentally friendly vehicles, Murkomen announced the issuance of special green-colored number plates for all-electric vehicles. These plates will not only aid in identifying electric vehicles but will also make them eligible for various tax incentives from both national and county governments.
Some of the proposed incentives for electric vehicle owners include discounted power tariffs for charging, tax exemptions and reductions such as waiving import duty, VAT, and excise duty on fully built-up electric vehicles, as well as registration fee waivers. Additionally, vehicles with green number plates will have access to restricted areas and benefit from cheaper parking rates.
EPRA aims to significantly increase the number of electric vehicles in the country within the next 24 months, with a target of reaching 5% of total vehicle registrations by 2025, as outlined in the Kenya National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy, 2020.
During a stakeholders forum in February, EPRA’s Director-General, Daniel Kiptoo, emphasized the importance of accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles to promote sustainable and energy-efficient transportation practices. With the introduction of green number plates and various incentives, the government is working towards creating a conducive environment for the growth of the electric vehicle industry in Kenya.
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