Green car number plates set to be introduced for electric vehicles in Kenya – Nairobi News

The government on Wednesday, March 27, announced the introduction of special green number plates for electric vehicles (EVs).

The announcement was made by Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen during the launch of the draft e-mobility policy at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).

The special number plates will be issued to motorists who own electric vehicles and motorcycles, marking a significant step in Kenya’s journey towards sustainable transport.

“The special plates will help raise awareness of electric vehicles among the general public and encourage more people to consider switching to e-mobility,” said Murkomen.

He said the initiative also extends to motorcycles, marking a comprehensive effort to revolutionise the country’s transport sector.

Mr Murkomen added that the shift will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while cutting the country’s oil import bill.

“The shift to electric vehicles (EVs) will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while cutting the oil import bill, which currently stands at Sh628.4 billion. It will also boost local manufacturing and create jobs. That’s why the government has prioritised the introduction of electric vehicles,” he said.

According to the CS, there is an urgent need to create an enabling environment for the adoption of electric vehicles, which includes the creation of a comprehensive policy framework.

“To promote faster adoption of electric vehicles, we have initiated the process of issuing green number plates to all-electric vehicles, including two-wheelers. The special plates will help raise awareness about electric vehicles among the general public and encourage more people to consider switching to e-mobility,” he said.

He said the policy is an indication of the government’s commitment to popularise EVs in the country, adding that his ministry will submit a proposal to the Cabinet for a phased replacement of all government vehicles with EVs.

The transition, he said, will in the long run save the taxpayer billions of shillings in fuel and other maintenance costs, not to mention the immense environmental benefits of the shift.

The CS noted that the country’s transport sector is largely powered by fossil fuels and consumes about 72 per cent of imported petroleum products.

According to him, greenhouse gas emissions from the sector are projected to increase from 13 per cent in 2015 to 17 per cent by 2030.

“Air pollution from these emissions and climate change threaten our health, our economy and our lives,” the CS said.

Socially, it means cleaner cities and better public health. Technologically, it puts Kenya at the forefront of innovation, setting a benchmark for integrating renewable energy and building cleaner transport systems across Africa.

“I am confident that this document will produce ground-breaking legislative and regulatory proposals that will drive the country’s nascent e-mobility industry forward,” said Murkomen.

The move to introduce green plates will also require a change for vehicles that currently have green plates, which are mainly used by county enforcement officers. These vehicles will have to apply for new plates, as the exclusive green designation will shift to electric vehicles.

The draft e-mobility policy and the introduction of green number plates represent Kenya’s proactive approach to addressing the challenges of climate change and urban pollution.

With nearly 3,000 electric vehicles already registered in the country, these new measures are expected to significantly increase the number of electric vehicles on Kenyan roads, driving the nation towards a greener and more sustainable future.