Long-distance motorists seeking to buy electric vehicles would not be locked in the new plans outlined by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority(EPRA).
In the new plan, public charging stations will be fixed on every highway after 25 kilometers. This will allow motorists to recharge their electric car batteries before embarking on their journies.
“At least one charging station should be available in a grid of three kilometers by three kilometers. Additionally, one charging station shall be set up at every 25 kilometers on both sides of highways/roads” EPRA indicated.
For buses and trailers, EPRA intends to fix charging stations every 100 kilometers.
Besides that, the stations will have fast chargers enabling those in transit to recharge faster and hit the road.
“Within cities, such charging facilities for heavy-duty EVs shall be located within bus stops. The swapping facilities are also not mandatory within cities for buses or trucks,” Epra stated.
Charging stations have been granted a preferential power tariff of Ksh17 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) by Kenya Power as the utility positions itself to cash in on the growing uptake of EVs to boost its electricity sales.
Already President William Ruto gave a green light for the adoption of electric cars and motorbikes in the country.
He lauded the move noting that it was effective and economical for Kenyan motorists.
With the cost of fuel surging Kenyans are expected to transition into the electric car industry which is gaining pace, especially in Nairobi.
