Gov’t unveils green number plate for environment-friendly electric vehicles

Representing President Ruto during the launch of Kenya’s National Electric Mobility Policy, Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir said that the owners of electric vehicles will be required to switch to the green plates progressively. 

He said that this was part of a wider strategy by the government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 32 per cent by 2030, in line with the Paris Agreement, which identified electric mobility as a key strategy. 

CS Chirchir revealed that there were a total of  24, 754 electric cars in the country in 2025, adding that the number had risen from 796 in 2022, describing the shift as a major milestone in our transition to a cleaner, more resilient transport system.

“Electric mobility is crucial to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, decreasing reliance on imported fossil fuels, and fostering economic growth through local manufacturing and job creation,” he stated.

To accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, CS Chirchir said that the government has introduced targeted incentives, including zero-rating VAT on electric buses, bicycles, motorcycles, and lithium-ion batteries, and reducing Excise Duty on selected electric vehicles.

The National Electric Mobility Policy provides a clear framework for the adoption, regulation, and expansion of electric mobility, he pointed out.

“It strengthens the legal and institutional environment, promotes local manufacturing, prioritises infrastructure and grid readiness, builds local technical capacity, and advances both fiscal and non-fiscal incentives,” he affirmed.

He maintained the government appreciates the critical role of two- and three-wheelers in last-mile mobility, adding that the E-Mobility Policy aims to lower operating costs for riders and small businesses, while preparing for sustainable road financing as electric vehicle uptake grows