Kenya Power gets cheaper rates for electric vehicle charging

The energy regulatory authority has approved Kenya Power’s request for a separate tariff for electric vehicles which will see their owners purchase power at discounted prices.

According to Kenya Power, electric vehicle users will be paying Ksh.17 for a unit of electricity compared to Ksh.27 for a unit of power for domestic users. 

The move comes after Kenya Power’s bid to the energy regulator was passed, seeking to reduce the cost of charging cars and is expected to be a shot in the arm for the growing interest and investment in the EV space.

Dr. Jeremiah Kiplagat, Director at the Institute of Energy which heads the innovation wing of Kenya Power, said the power prices for electric car charging stations have been reduced to Ksh.17 per unit compared to Ksh.27 per unit that domestic users pay. Further, during off-peak hours, the cost will be slashed to Ksh.9 per unit.

“Looking at the off-peak hours, we have a lot of wasted energy, but this can be utilized between 10pm to 4am by EV users to charge their cars while parked at home,” Kiplangat said.

Kiplagat further said this will allow the power distributor to not only sell more power but also reduce the country’s carbon footprint.

“By doing this, Kenya Power seeks to increase its customer numbers and also do its bit in reducing emissions,” he added.

Industry players said the government needs to do more to encourage the switch to electric mobility by waving taxes on the vehicles as they are expensive to acquire in the first place. 

“If the government wishes to realize full electric mobility then they have to give incentives that will allow the sector to grow. EVs are considerably more expensive and if they are to push for electric mobility then they have to do this,” CEO Agilitee Africa Dr. Mandla Lamba said.

According to Embassava Chairman Benson Wanyoike, who acquired 4 electric buses for his fleet on Friday, the move will help in reducing the cost of operations for his business as electricity is much cheaper than fuel.

“Looking at the cost of fuel right now in the country coppered to the cost of electricity, it makes sense for us to start an EV fleet to save on costs,” Wanyoike noted.

The lack of charging infrastructure for electric vehicles and motorcycles has been one of the leading impediments to the full adoption of e-mobility, prompting the utility to take the lead in the switch.

Last year, Kenya Power outlined plans to abandon diesel and petrol vehicles indicating it had enough power to charge 50,000 buses and two million motorcycles during off-peak hours.