Kenya has been relatively slow in adopting electric vehicles compared to other nations, though the country has seen notable progress in the electric bus segment. This growth has been driven by innovative service models that separate battery ownership from vehicle ownership, allowing transport operators to access electric buses at prices comparable to diesel alternatives while paying subscription fees for energy bundles that include charging, maintenance, and roadside assistance.
As charging infrastructure develops to support the expanding electric bus fleet, operators are beginning to open these networks to the general public. Industry analysts note that utilization rates are critical to the viability of standalone charging businesses, and Kenya’s low electric car penetration makes independent infrastructure ventures challenging. However, infrastructure built around a captive electric bus fleet offers a more sustainable model, potentially creating the conditions needed to address range anxiety concerns among potential electric car buyers.
BasiGo, an electric bus and energy solutions provider, has announced a partnership with Rubis Energy Kenya to expand fast-charging capacity along major transport routes. The first operational station is located at a Rubis fuel service station in Sabaki, Athi River, with additional facilities scheduled for commissioning later this month in Meru, Nanyuki, and Nyeri. These public-access stations will serve electric buses, vans, trucks, and passenger vehicles.
The Sabaki facility features dual fast-charging standards—CCS2 and GB/T—capable of delivering 100kW power, enabling passenger vehicle charging in under one hour. Charging rates are set at 48 Kenyan shillings per kilowatt-hour across the network. The dual-standard approach reflects shifts in vehicle sourcing patterns, with traditional European imports using CCS2 standards alongside increasing numbers of Chinese vehicles utilizing GB/T technology.
The collaboration demonstrates traditional fuel retailers partnering with EV infrastructure specialists to accelerate charging network deployment. With Rubis operating over 300 fuel stations in Kenya and extending into East and Southern Africa, combined with BasiGo’s position as a major DC fast-charging provider in the region, the partnership aims to create synergies that could substantially increase infrastructure availability and support broader electric vehicle adoption across Kenya and neighboring markets.
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