BYD Partners With Loxea To Launch The ATTO 3, Dolphin, & Seal in Kenya

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It seems like we get news of BYD entering a new market around the world every week now, so it’s hard to keep up! However, it’s great for the overall mission to accelerate adoption of electric vehicles around the world. Just the other week, BYD officially entered the Zambian market in collaboration with Pilatus and launched several models there. There is more good news from BYD on the African continent, as BYD has officially launched three models in Kenya!

BYD has partnered with Loxea, a leading player in Kenya’s vehicle leasing and fleet management industry. This new partnership marks a strategic move by Loxea as it diversifies from its core leasing and fleet management business into the rapidly growing electric mobility sector, a decision to drive sustainable growth while transforming the country’s transportation landscape. The company will offer 100% electric vehicles for leasing and outright purchase. Loxea is a CFAO Mobility Group subsidiary, and will be the sole distributor of BYD electric vehicles in Kenya.

The adoption of electric vehicles in Kenya is increasingly picking up pace, driven by several factors, including supportive government policy, environmental awareness, and economic considerations. The country’s Vision 2030 blueprint and its commitment to the Paris Agreement emphasize sustainability and climate change mitigation, making the adoption of EVs a critical step in achieving these goals. The electric motorcycle and electric bus sectors have had significant traction. The entry of BYD into the Kenyan market along with several other new players, including Chery with its Omoda E5 EV models, will hopefully kickstart growth in the electric car sector.

Loxea Kenya Managing Director Jennifer Kinyoe said that the diversification into distributorship of electric vehicles is part of Loxea’s broader vision to lead in Kenya’s evolving mobility ecosystem, offering a comprehensive suite of services associated with electric cars. This includes the installation of electric charging stations, vehicle maintenance, repair services, and the provision of spare parts.

“Diversifying into electric vehicles aligns perfectly with our mission to provide innovative, sustainable mobility solutions to businesses and individuals. It is a testament to our commitment to delivering future-proof solutions, and we are excited to partner with BYD, a leading global electric vehicle and battery manufacturer, as we chart a new path in Kenya’s automotive industry,” she said.

The following three models were launched in Nairobi today:

BYD Atto 3: This compact SUV is perfect for urban and off-road driving, offering a long battery range of up to 515 kilometers on a single charge, making it ideal for daily commute and long-distance trips. With its spacious interior and advanced safety features and ergonomic design, it’s ideal for families and professionals alike.
BYD Seal: This is a sleek, high-performance sedan with a sporty design, for luxury and efficiency. The BYD Seal can travel up to 664 kilometers on a full charge, making it one of the most efficient electric sedans available in Kenya.
BYD Dolphin: Designed for the everyday commuter, this trendy model offers an impressive range of 402 kilometers on a single charge, combining affordability, sustainability, and comfort for daily urban mobility.

Florent Montaubin, Managing Director of Loxea Holding, stated: “BYD’s presence in Kenya signifies our commitment to supporting the country’s green transition and modernizing the transportation landscape. With its strategic location and forward-thinking policies, Kenya is poised to be a regional hub for sustainable innovation. Our focus is to ensure that this launch contributes to Kenya’s long-term vision for clean energy and environmental conservation.”

In a further step towards ensuring the success of EV adoption in Kenya, Loxea has partnered with Knight Energies to expand the country’s EV charging infrastructure. This collaboration will add new charging stations across key locations in Kenya, adding on the existing charging network to ensure a seamless experience for electric vehicle owners.

“We understand that expanding the charging infrastructure is critical to the success of electric vehicles in Kenya. Our partnership with Knight Energies is designed to ensure that EV owners have convenient access to charging stations across the country, accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles,” Loxea Kenya MD Jennifer Kinyoe added.

The most significant part of all these for me is the fact that the BYD models will be available for leasing! This lowers the barrier for a lot of organizations to adopt electric vehicles. Leasing to fleet operators will help drive sales volumes. Another plus is that after the lease terms end, these vehicles could find their way onto the used vehicle market at price points that will be more attractive to general consumers.

Images courtesy of Loxea