BasiGo, a leading electric bus company in Kenya, has made a significant stride in the country’s electric mobility sector by establishing a pioneering fast-charging station in Nairobi. This charging station stands as the first of its kind to be connected through the recently introduced e-mobility tariff, setting the stage for the growth of clean energy-powered electric buses.
Nairobi has witnessed a gradual emergence of electric mobility with the establishment of various electric vehicle companies, including BasiGo and ROAM Mobility. BasiGo, specifically catering to the mass transit needs of the city’s public transport users, aims to make electric mobility accessible to all. Other companies like Hummingbird have taken a different approach, partnering with the hospitality industry to offer electric vehicles to customers.
The availability of charging stations plays a crucial role in promoting the adoption of electric vehicles. Understanding this, BasiGo’s latest move to launch a publicly accessible fast-charging station for their electric bus fleet in Nairobi is a significant milestone. Located in the Buru Buru area, this charging station is linked to the nation’s e-mobility tariff, which provides affordable electricity for charging electric vehicles during nighttime hours. Kenya has been able to leverage its abundant renewable energy resources, with up to 90% of electricity generated from renewable sources in the past three years. During off-peak hours at night, the grid is entirely powered by clean energy.
BasiGo’s CEO, Jit Bhattacharya, expressed gratitude for the support received from Kenya Power in establishing the e-mobility tariff, enabling investments in charging infrastructure. The newly launched station can currently charge six buses simultaneously and will be expanded to accommodate up to 25 vehicles by the end of the year. With this addition, BasiGo now operates three charging stations capable of charging over 20 electric buses. The latest station will primarily serve electric buses operated by OMA Sacco and Embassava Sacco.
Each electric bus deployed and charged by BasiGo eliminates the need for 20,000 liters of imported diesel per year, replacing it with 50 MWh of locally generated clean electricity. This transition contributes to reducing emissions in the transportation sector, which currently accounts for 67% of energy sector emissions in Kenya and is projected to rise to 17% by 2030. By supporting the growth of the e-mobility industry, Kenya has the opportunity to become a regional leader in the electric vehicle market while combating environmental challenges.
Looking ahead, BasiGo plans to make its charging stations accessible to the public for charging electric cars and trucks by the end of 2023. The company also aims to expand the network of charging stations throughout Nairobi and eventually across the country. These efforts align with BasiGo’s ambitious goal of deploying 1,000 electric buses to Nairobi bus operators within the next three years. Additionally, Kenya Power is actively engaged in building robust e-mobility infrastructure, including an E-mobility Network Infrastructure System (ENIS), and plans to replace its fossil fuel-powered vehicles with electric ones in the coming years.
