NAIROBI, April 29 (Xinhua) -- Rising global oil prices are driving Kenyan consumers and corporate fleets toward Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) as they seek more affordable and sustainable transport solutions, an industry executive said on Wednesday.
Nicolas Ruffier des Aimes, general manager of BYD by CFAO Mobility Kenya, said that volatile fuel markets have made electric mobility increasingly attractive to Kenyan businesses and households.
"People buying our electric vehicles are replacing diesel cars they were using before," des Aimes said, as the company delivered its first fleet of five plug-in hybrid electric vehicles to Avenue Lease and Rentals East Africa.
Des Aimes noted that the green vehicle revolution in Kenya started with electric two-wheelers and is now expanding to four-wheel vehicles.
He said that Kenya's largely renewable electricity mix, dominated by geothermal and hydropower, gives the East African nation a competitive advantage in EV adoption by lowering charging costs and reducing emissions.
"We are already seeing strong demand in Kenya because it is a maturing market," he said.
According to des Aimes, maintenance costs for EVs and hybrids are significantly lower than for conventional diesel vehicles, making them more cost-effective over time.
He said Chinese automakers are gaining ground globally because they invested early in battery technology and electric mobility.
"China prepared for this transition more than 10 years ago. BYD started with battery technology, which is why they are now building some of the best electric vehicles in the world," he said.
Des Aimes said CFAO Mobility Kenya is also considering local assembly of BYD vehicles at its existing assembly plant in Kenya within the next few years, a move expected to lower costs further and strengthen regional supply chains. ■