Kenya Removes 15,000 kWh Cap on EV Charging Tariff

Kenya's key shift is not a cheaper tariff but an uncapped one: EPRA removed the 15,000 kWh monthly limit on the e-mobility tariff. Peak power now costs Sh16 per kWh, off-peak Sh8, and that spread compounds on every unit a charging site sells.

The amendment to the 2023 tariff schedule was gazetted on September 18. The original tariff, launched in April 2023, charged Sh16 per kWh with Sh8 off-peak but capped the discount at 15,000 kWh a month. Volumes above the new threshold keep the discounted rate.

The arithmetic now works. Off-peak at Sh8 against peak at Sh16 is an 8-shilling spread. A depot using 20,000 kWh a month and shifting charging to off-peak saves about 1.92 million shillings a year. Demand justifies the change: consumption rose 300% to 5.04 GWh.

Three effects land on importers. More charging hosts will accept electric fleets, so post-sale range anxiety eases. Total cost of ownership becomes quotable: motorbike-taxi fuel runs Sh670 a day, the electric equivalent about Sh300. Procurement now turns on securing off-peak capacity.

Ask your Kenyan partner for three things: a cost-per-kilometre sheet at current peak and off-peak rates, the connectable off-peak capacity and connection lead time in your city, and a charging agreement with no volume ceiling. Then model a five-year TCO at 0.25 kWh per kilometre.

What certifications are required to import used cars from China?
Requirements vary by destination (e.g. EAEU needs SBKTS/OTTC, GCC for the Middle East). EZ Auto handles compliant documents and certification per the destination customs, confirming clearance before shipment to avoid port hold-ups.

What recent policy changes affect Chinese vehicle exports?
EV subsidies are phasing out while export licensing and shipping capacity fluctuate. EZ Auto tracks destination tariffs and certification changes and updates them in the News section for procurement decisions.

Can an individual buy a car directly from China for export?
Possible, but with document and customs hurdles. Most buyers order through a licensed exporter like EZ Auto, which handles the contract, export declaration and destination paperwork; you only handle pickup and local registration.

What export documents are needed for used cars?
Core documents include the commercial invoice, packing list, export customs declaration, bill of lading and the destination's import clearance papers. EZ Auto prepares the full set before shipment to ensure smooth clearance abroad and avoid demurrage.

Do destination countries limit the age of imported vehicles?
New cars are mostly unrestricted; used cars often face an age cap (e.g. some Middle East and Africa markets require within 5-8 years). EZ Auto checks the destination's age rule before shipping and screens out non-compliant units to avoid rejection at port.

This article is published by EZ Auto. EZ Auto (Cheyixing Automobile Import & Export) specializes in exporting Chinese vehicles — new, used and parts — serving Latin America, Central Asia & CIS, Africa, the Middle East and the EU, with order-based sourcing, inspection with photo report, export documentation and ocean freight in one place.