MojaEV Kenya Launches 100 NETA V Electric Cars for Nairobi Taxi Market – CleanTechnica

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MojaEV aims to introduce a total of 500 NETA V electric cars by mid-2025

Although the Kenyan vehicle market is quite small, there are quite a number of exciting developments when it comes to electrification. For example, electric motorcycles are starting to gain significant traction in Kenya in terms of adoption. 2023 was the first time that Kenyan motorcycle sales saw a noticeable increase in terms of the share of overall motorcycle sales. In 2023, there were 70,691 motorcycles sold in Kenya. 2,557 of these were electric. That means 3.6% of motorcycles sold in 2023 in Kenya were electric. That is almost 4%! Soon the market share will reach the critical 5%, which is generally viewed as the tipping point indicating the start of mass adoption. The share of electric motorcycles rose to 3.6% in 2023, from 2.8% in 2022 and 0.5% in 2021. In the three-wheeler segment, the share of electric 3-wheelers in Kenya’s new vehicle registrations hit 1% in 2022, and dipped slightly to about 0.7% in 2023.

The electric car segment has been much slower to take off. However, there is some good news, as we are starting to get more activity in this segment. The latest being the entry of MojaEV into the Kenya market. MojaEV currently offers several electric vehicle models in Kenya, such as the Neta V and some models from Skyworth.

This week, MojaEV launched 100 NETA V electric cars for the Nairobi taxi market. The first 20 NETA V’s have already been delivered to their respective taxi drivers, with the remaining 80 to be delivered before the end of this year. MojaEV plans to deliver 500 vehicles by the middle next year. These vehicles will be leased to taxi drivers operating in Nairobi, marking a significant step toward revolutionizing the local transportation landscape. MojaEV says electric vehicles present numerous economic advantages over traditional internal combustion engines. With lower fuel and maintenance costs, taxi drivers using NETA V electric cars can enhance their profitability and overall financial stability.

Here are the specs of the NETA V:

MojaEV says this initiative not only supports individual drivers but also contributes to a more sustainable economic model for the taxi industry in Nairobi. Many taxi drivers in Kenya face challenges accessing banking services, making it difficult for them to obtain financial facilities or loans for vehicle purchases. To address this issue, MojaEV Kenya Limited has partnered with financial institutions to create a system where clients can pay for taxi rides directly to drivers’ bank accounts. This arrangement will help taxi drivers build a financial history, enabling them to access loans and improve their economic status over time.

MojaEV says that with 4.5 million Nairobians relying on public transport — accounting for about 60% of the city’s population — there is substantial demand for efficient and environmentally friendly taxi services. Currently, only 11% of Nairobi’s population uses digital-hailing taxis, indicating a significant opportunity for growth in the sector. Let’s take a look at how significant the introduction of 500 electric taxis is in the context of the current state of Kenya’s electric car market. From 2018 to 2023, only 201 electric cars have been registered in Kenya and now, in the next 8 months, MojaEV will add 500 NETA V’s to the country’s electric vehicle population! Besides supporting the growth of the electric taxi industry, MojaEV is also selling Skyworth SUVs to fleet operators and general consumers.

Last week, MojaEV also handed over three luxury Skyworth SUVs to local clients in Nairobi. Speaking at the event, Mr. Wang, CEO of MojaEV, remarked, “We are celebrating more than just the delivery of these beautiful vehicles. We are marking the beginning of a new chapter in Kenya’s journey towards sustainable transportation. The Skyworth SUVs represent the perfect fusion of luxury, performance, and zero-emissions technology, aligning with Kenya’s broader climate action goals.”

MojaEV says that the Skyworth SUV is known for its superior performance, spacious interior, and innovative features, making it the ideal choice for individuals looking to reduce their carbon footprint without compromising on comfort or style. With its all-electric powertrain, the vehicle offers zero tailpipe emissions, contributing directly to the reduction of Kenya’s overall carbon emissions.