Loxea, a CFAO Mobility Group subsidiary is the sole distributor of BYD Electric Vehicles in Kenya, having launched the fleet last week, September 25, in a ceremony attended by Cabinet Secretary of Investments, Trade and Industry, Salim Mvurya, and BYD South Africa General Manager Steve Chang, and other dignitaries and corporate players.
Kenya is seeing a growing adoption of electric vehicles, fueled by factors such as favourable government policies, rising environmental consciousness, and economic incentives.
The nation’s Vision 2030 development plan, along with its commitment to the Paris Agreement, highlights sustainability and efforts to combat climate change, positioning the shift to EVs as a key element in achieving these objectives.
The transport sector is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and transitioning to EVs is a critical step towards achieving climate goals. Electric vehicles offer significant environmental benefits by reducing carbon emissions and air pollutants, contributing to cleaner and a healthier environment.
EVs are positioned to leverage the country’s green energy transition coupled with increased investments in renewable energy sources such as geothermal, hydro, and solar.
“We recognize the critical role that EVs will play in addressing some of the most pressing environmental challenges, EVs are not only environmentally friendly but also cost-effective in the long term.
With rising fuel costs, electric vehicles offer lower operational expenses due to reduced fuel consumption and maintenance, lowering the cost of transportation, and decreasing reliance on fossil fuels,” says CFAO Mobility Group CEO, Arvinder Reel.
Florent Montaubin, Managing Director of Loxea Holding, stated that BYD’s entry into Kenya reflects the company’s commitment to aiding the country’s green transition and transforming its transportation sector.
He noted that Kenya’s strategic location and progressive policies position it to become a regional hub for sustainable innovation, and emphasized that the launch aims to support Kenya’s long-term goals for clean energy and environmental conservation.
“The government has prioritized the adoption of e-mobility to achieve a number of targets, not only to comply with the existent carbon emission reduction commitments of 32 percent reduction by 2030, but also to lower Kenya’s reliance on oil imports.
For example, in the 2023 Budget Policy Statement, the government committed to provide financial and tax incentives for PSVs and commercial transporters to convert to EVs, and there has been a notable response by the sector,” said CS Mvurya.
The three cutting-edge BYD EV models are the BYD Atto 3, BYD Seal, and BYD Dolphin, which are of high-performance standards and zero emissions, each designed to meet the diverse needs of the Kenyan market.
- 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 commutes 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.