Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Kenyans.co.ke
Published on 2024-02-20 08:09:51
The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has recently issued a new directive to importers of second-hand electric cars, outlining specific requirements for these vehicles to be allowed into the country. The notice, dated February 19, 2024, mandates that the vehicles must have a battery life of not less than 80% in order to meet the standards for importation.
In addition to the battery life requirement, KEBS has also informed importers that second-hand electric cars from six countries – Japan, UAE, Thailand, Singapore, South Africa, and the UK – will be subjected to mandatory inspection. Specifically, these vehicles are to undergo Pre-Inspection by Quality Inspection Services, Inc (QISJ), a KEBS-appointed inspection agent for motor vehicles in the country.
This directive comes just two months after KEBS issued new guidelines for the importation of used or second-hand vehicles into Kenya. In a notice dated December 4, 2023, the authority indicated that effective January 1, 2024, only second-hand electric vehicles registered from January 1, 2017, would be allowed into the country. Those planning to import vehicles registered before 2017 were advised to ensure that the cars reached the country’s points of entry by December 31, 2023.
Supporting documents for vehicles released in 2016 or earlier were also required to have arrived in the country before the end of 2023. This policy was in line with the government-imposed eight-year age limit on the importation of all used vehicles, aimed at preventing the influx of below-standard vehicles into the country.
It is important to note that the eight-year age limit specifically applies to right-hand drive vehicles being imported into Kenya. This measure is part of a larger effort to regulate the importation of used vehicles and ensure that only high-quality and relatively new vehicles enter the country.
Through these directives and standards, KEBS is working to maintain the quality and safety of vehicles being imported into Kenya, as well as to align with the government’s regulations and policies concerning vehicle imports. These measures are crucial in ensuring that Kenyan consumers have access to reliable and environmentally friendly transportation options, while also reducing the influx of aging and substandard vehicles into the country.
Overall, the directives issued by KEBS reflect the authority’s commitment to enforcing standards and regulations that benefit both consumers and the environment, as well as supporting the government’s efforts to manage the importation of used vehicles. Through these measures, KEBS aims to promote sustainability, safety, and quality in the automotive industry, ultimately contributing to a more efficient and environmentally responsible transportation sector in Kenya.
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