Kenya has rolled out green number plates for electric vehicles (EVs) and electric motorbikes, marking a policy shift aimed at accelerating the adoption of e-mobility and cutting emissions from the transport sector.
Under the new system, all electric vehicles will be registered using the green plates as the government implements its broader electric mobility strategy. The move is intended to make EVs easily identifiable while supporting policy measures designed to grow the market.
The rollout comes as the government moves to stimulate demand by prioritising the purchase of electric vehicles across public agencies. Official data shows EV registrations have increased sharply, rising to 24,754 units from 796 in 2022, signalling growing uptake even from a relatively low base.
The policy push is closely linked to Kenya’s electricity profile, with more than 90 per cent of power generation coming from renewable sources such as geothermal, hydro and wind. This energy mix positions electric mobility as a cleaner alternative to internal combustion vehicles in terms of lifecycle emissions.
The government has also previously introduced fiscal incentives to support adoption, including lower import duty and excise tax rates for electric vehicles compared to conventional petrol and diesel models. These measures are being complemented by pilot projects involving electric buses, motorbikes and tuk-tuks in major urban centres, including Nairobi.
Together, the introduction of green number plates, public-sector procurement plans and targeted incentives reflect a coordinated effort to embed electric mobility into Kenya’s transport system while reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering urban emissions.
