BasiGo Unveils Advanced Charging Station in Nairobi, Paving the Way for Electric Vehicle Revolution in Kenya

Kenyan startup BasiGo has revealed a new charging station in BuruBuru, Nairobi. This station offers fast charging capabilities and has the capacity to charge six electric buses simultaneously. However, BasiGo aims to expand its support to 25 electric buses by the end of this year.

BasiGo CEO, Jit Bhattacharya, expressed his pride in having the BuruBuru charging station as the first to be connected through the new E-mobility tariff. He emphasized the positive impact of electric buses on the environment, stating, "Every Electric Bus we deploy and charge replaces the consumption of 20,000 Litres per year of imported diesel with the consumption of 50 MWh of clean, renewable electricity produced here in Kenya."

Bhattacharya further explained the significance of the new E-mobility tariff, which enables investments in infrastructure like the charging station and facilitates the rapid growth of the electric vehicle industry in Kenya.

The BuruBuru charging station marks the first deployment since the approval of the E-mobility tariff by the Energy, Petroleum, and Regulatory Authority (EPRA) in March. This tariff ensures cost-effective power for EV charging during nighttime hours, leveraging Kenya's surplus of renewable energy supply.

Joseph Siror, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC), highlighted Kenya's potential as a launchpad for the electric vehicle sector in Africa. He described Kenya as the largest economy in the region, an innovation hub, and a global leader in clean energy.

With the addition of the BuruBuru charging station, BasiGo now operates three charging sites, including those in Embakasi and Kikuyu. These combined facilities have the capacity to charge over 20 electric buses.

Situated on Rabai Road, the BuruBuru station primarily serves electric buses operated by OMA Services and Embassava SACCO. OMA Sacco Chairman George Muriithi Githinji expressed gratitude for the partnership with BasiGo, as it has significantly improved their operational efficiency. The proximity of the facility has allowed for an increase of 8-10 trips per day, resulting in additional revenue of approximately 22,000 per day.