The transition to electric mobility is gaining momentum globally, fueled by climate action commitments and a growing demand for sustainable transport solutions. A recent report highlights a sharp rise in electric vehicle (EV) sales worldwide.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), EV sales surged by twenty-five percent in 2024, surpassing seventeen million units, a notable increase from under fourteen million recorded the previous year.
The report indicates that electric vehicles accounted for over twenty percent of total car sales globally. China remains at the forefront of this transition, driving nearly two-thirds of the world’s EV sales. The country experienced an annual growth rate of close to forty percent in its electric vehicle market.
Beyond China, emerging economies saw remarkable progress, with EV sales in these regions rising by eighty percent compared to the previous year.
Kenya is also witnessing a surge in electric mobility adoption, particularly in the vehicle and motorcycle segments. Data from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) shows that electricity consumption in the country’s e-mobility sector grew by four hundred and sixty-six percent in the six months ending December 2024.
“Electric mobility energy consumption, including electric vehicles and motorcycles, rose by 1.49 GWh to reach 1.81 GWh during the review period, up from 0.32 GWh recorded in the same period of the previous financial year,” EPRA reported.
Despite this sharp increase, electric mobility still accounts for a mere 0.03 percent of Kenya’s total energy consumption.
The EPRA report also highlighted broader electricity usage trends across various sectors. Industrial consumers remained the top users of electricity in Kenya, consuming 2,807.10 GWh, representing 51.18 percent of the country’s total energy consumption. This marks a rise of 101.0 GWh from the 2,706.10 GWh recorded in the previous year, reflecting increased industrial activity.
Household electricity consumption ranked second, reaching 1,728.19 GWh, up from 1,599.33 GWh the previous year. This category accounted for 31.51 percent of the country’s total electricity usage.
Small commercial enterprises consumed 902.94 GWh, representing 16.46 percent of total electricity consumption, an increase from 843.04 GWh recorded in the prior period.
On the other hand, energy usage for street lighting dropped by 12.0 GWh, falling to 44.48 GWh from the previous 56.48 GWh. This sector accounted for just 0.81 percent of Kenya’s total energy consumption.
As global EV sales continue to soar, Kenya’s e-mobility sector is on a growth trajectory, albeit from a relatively low base. Industry experts expect further expansion as infrastructure improves and more consumers embrace electric transport.