The government has formed a taskforce for the smooth uptake of e-mobility in the country in a move to reduce pollution related to fossil fuel.
The taskforce is expected to complete the assignment within 20 days. Key deliverables are national e-Mobility Policy, e-Mobility strategy and implementation plan, e-mobility legislations and regulations, e-mobility guidelines; and regulatory impact assessment (RIA).
The team led by Daniel Ngumi and Jerotich Seii (Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson respectively) is tasked with the development of national electric mobility policy, strategy, legislation and regulations. Other members include David Mutisya, Anne Nyaga, Augustine Kenduiwo, Chris Mugo, Zacharia Lukorito, Judy Chepkirui, Jevan Odenyo, Edwins Mukabhanah, Hesborn Mose, Githaiga Weru, Ibrahim Kinyanjui and Engineer Meshack Ochieng.
The increasing level of air pollution across the globe has been a cause of concern for policy makers. Transport is a major energy consumer and among the largest sources of Green House Gas (GHG) emissions, the principal sources of urban air pollution that has impact on environment and human health. International trends indicate that ownership of vehicles will continue to grow in the coming decades.
The world will have to undertake measures to reduce total global Green House Gas (GHG) emissions by 40-70 per cent below 2010 levels by 2050 in order to limit the worst impacts from global climate change. The Electric Mobility and other low emission pathways have gained prominence as strategies to mitigate GHG emissions.
This will improve air quality, decrease fossil fuel dependency and boost energy security. Kenya is embarking on an array of policy options to promote and manage the growth of e-Mobility to reduce the impact of vehicle emissions in the country.
The 2012 Integrated National Transport Policy (INTP) currently under review has made various recommendations to address climate change. This includes reduction of GHG emissions and exploitation of renewable energy resources.
“The development and growth of e-Mobility will thus benefit from the intensified efforts being made towards this end,” notes Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen in a Gazette Notice.
The country has electric power generation capacity of 3,000MW against peak demand of about 2,000MW. Over 90 per cent of this is generated from renewable sources.
“The e-Mobility sector can utilize the excess capacity. Kenya, through its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) to the Paris Agreement has committed to lower GHG emissions by 32 per cent by 2030. The Transport sector can make its contribution towards this objective by adopting e-Mobility.”
The taskforce will review the existing policies, legal, institutional and operational environment around e-Mobility in the country, Identify and recommend legal, policy, institutional frameworks necessary to support implementation and growth of e-Mobility.
It will also undertake assessment and recommendation on the impact of adopting the e-Mobility policy on green energy exploitation, consider the harmonization of the e-Mobility Policy, Legislation and guidelines within EAC region.
Developing short, medium and long-term transition actions to promote and sustain e-mobility among others will form terms of reference of the task force.
Professor Izael Da Silva from the Strathmore University Energy Research Centre will also be part of the taskforce.
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