Kenya’s electric vehicle owners will now sport distinctive green number plates, the government announced on Tuesday, in a move aimed at promoting cleaner transportation and showcasing the country’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions.
Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, representing President William Ruto, made the announcement during the launch of Kenya’s National Electric Mobility Policy at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi.
“All the electric vehicle number plates will now be green, registered in green,” Chirchir said. “This will be the signature for those of us supporting the reduction of carbon footprints.”
The green plates, which replace the standard reflective ones currently used by Kenya’s more than 24,000 EV owners, cost KES 3,000 to replace. While there is no immediate mandate to switch, the government encourages EV owners to adopt the new plates progressively.
Chirchir did not specify direct incentives linked to the plates, noting simply that “the plates are good optics for our country.”
The initiative, originally scheduled for 2024 under former Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen, had been delayed. Conventional petrol and diesel vehicles will retain their current number plates.
The green plate launch coincides with Kenya’s broader push into electric mobility. The National Electric Mobility Policy aims for EVs to make up at least 5% of all newly registered vehicles by 2025, with a long-term vision of full electrification and net-zero emissions by 2050.
Kenya enjoys a strong foundation for electric mobility, with roughly 90% of its electricity coming from renewable sources such as geothermal, wind, and hydropower, making its grid one of the cleanest in the region.
To support EV adoption, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority has introduced a special e-mobility tariff with lower off-peak rates for overnight charging. The government is also providing incentives, including reduced import duties on EVs, tax relief on batteries and charging equipment, and plans to expand public charging stations in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu.
New building regulations will require commercial developments to allocate parking spaces for EV charging, while Kenya plans to add approximately 1,000 electric vehicles to its public service fleet annually.
The transport sector currently accounts for about 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and Kenya has committed to reducing its overall emissions by 32% by 2030.
