Jit Bhattacharya, CEO and Co-Founder, BasiGo.

Rising fuel costs in Kenya has forced the government to offer fuel subsidies and opened up a clear opportunity for e-mobility service and solution providers.

Swedish-Kenyan e-mobility company Opibus announced its US$7.5-million capital raise to fund the company’s production of electric vehicles. It plans to transform heavy-duty commercial vehicles, including busses and trucks, into electric vehicles and thereby reduce production costs.

It released a statement which reads: “While the motorcycle is fully designed and tailored for the local use case, with a robust frame and dual swappable battery packs providing a perfect product-market fit, intended to maximise local content.”

Jit Bhattacharya, CEO and Co-Founder at Nairobi-based e-mobility firm BasiGo, said, “Aside from the environmental benefits electrified mass transport provides in regards to reducing CO2e emissions, the cost of electric vehicles has dropped drastically in the last ten years, to the point where electric buses can offer significant savings compared to fossil-fuel busses.”

Bhattacharya added that when the cost of fuel and maintenance is considered, EVs can be more affordable than fossil-fuel vehicles over their lifetime, especially for high-mileage applications such as busses.

The company is already in talks with the Nairobi County Council and aims to introduce up to 1,000 electric buses in the city within five years.

Bhattacharya said the country is an attractive proposition for e-mobility companies due to its renewable energy source, possibilities of solar-powered charging stations and the generally lower cost of electricity compared to fossil fuels.

A more popular means of transport in Nairobi is motorcycles. This is where competitor e-mobility company Kiri EV wants to make its mark with electrified two-and three-wheelers.

“Our electric motorcycles help our riders reduce their operational costs and hence increase their income and ultimately improve their lives. An added benefit is that they are environmentally friendly and quiet which in turn reduces pollution and makes our cities less polluted and less noisy,” said Chris Maara, Kiri EV founder.

Nopea Ride, operated by Finnish-Kenya company EkoRent Africa, is optimistic it can expand its electric fleet and its regional presence.

Founder Juha Suojanen said the company is already establishing charging stations across Nairobi to ensure that their electric cabs can access most parts of the city.