Kenya is stepping up efforts to expand electric mobility, with the Government targeting the deployment of 10,000 electric vehicle charging stations by 2030 as the number of electric vehicles on the country's roads continues to rise.
Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi said the electric mobility sector has recorded rapid growth, reflecting increasing confidence in electric vehicles and their potential to lower transport costs, strengthen energy security and support a cleaner transport system.
Wandayi said registered electric vehicles increased from just 65 in 2018 to more than 43,000 in 2025.
“This rapid growth demonstrates that electric mobility is moving beyond the demonstration phase and is increasingly becoming an important component of Kenya's transport and energy transition,” he said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
The electric three-wheeler sector has emerged as an important part of the transition because of its role in providing livelihoods and supporting last-mile transportation.
According to the Ministry, Kenya currently has more than 1,100 registered electric three-wheelers. Wandayi said the Government recognises that tuk-tuks are commercial assets whose operators rely on daily earnings. He said the shift to electric three-wheelers must therefore deliver clear economic benefits to operators.
“The transition to electric three-wheelers must therefore provide tangible economic benefits, particularly through reduced energy and maintenance costs, while ensuring reliability and convenience for operators,” Wandayi said.
The Government is also encouraged by the expansion of charging and battery-swapping infrastructure across the country.
The Ministry estimates that there are about 1,520 public charging stations along major highways and in towns. About 93 percent of these are battery-swapping stations serving electric two and three-wheelers.
Wandayi said battery swapping is particularly important for commercial operators because it reduces downtime and allows them to remain on the road for longer periods.
“This demonstrates the important role that battery swapping is playing in Kenya's e-mobility ecosystem, particularly for commercial operators who require minimal downtime and need to remain on the road to earn their livelihoods,” he said.
The rapid adoption of electric vehicles is expected to increase demand for electricity. Ministry projections show that electricity demand linked to EV charging could rise from approximately 3 megawatts in 2024 to 15 megawatts in 2026.
The demand could reach 168 megawatts by 2030. Wandayi said the projected growth makes grid planning, reinforcement of distribution networks and proper management of charging demand necessary.
The Ministry is working to attract public and private investment in charging and battery-swapping infrastructure, including facilities along major highways, in towns and at strategic transport locations.
Through Technical Working Group 3 on Charging Infrastructure and Grid Integration, the Ministry is coordinating national and county governments, utilities, regulators, private-sector players and other stakeholders.
The group is addressing technical, regulatory and infrastructure requirements needed to support electric mobility. Wandayi said the Government was also focusing on affordability, financing, battery availability, safety, standards and interoperability as it scales up electric tuk-tuks.
“Our objective is to build an electric mobility ecosystem that lowers operating costs, creates jobs, improves energy security and ensures that the benefits of Kenya's clean energy transition reach ordinary Kenyans,” he said.
The Cabinet Secretary described tuk-tuk operators as key partners in Kenya's energy transition, rather than simply users of electric vehicles.
“The Government therefore views the tuk-tuk operators not merely as users of electric vehicles, but as key partners in Kenya's energy transition,” Wandayi said.
He said the Government would continue working with operators and their associations to address challenges facing the sector and build a reliable, affordable and sustainable electric mobility ecosystem.