The Ministry of Transport has announced that all electric vehicles will now be issued with distinctive green number plates nationwide, paving the way for the rollout of a new identification system for EVs.
The directive was issued on Tuesday, February 3, during the official launch of Kenya’s e-mobility policy framework. Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir confirmed that the new green reflective plates will be mandatory for all categories of electric vehicles.
“Like I mentioned in my earlier remarks. This will be the new kid in town. All the electric vehicle number plates will now be green, registered in green,” Chirchir announced.
The Cabinet Secretary stated that the directive takes effect immediately and applies exclusively to electric vehicles, marking a key step in the government’s broader climate action agenda.
“So we will be launching the green number plate for all the electric vehicles. This will be the signature for those of us supporting the reduction of carbon footprints,” he added.
Addressing stakeholders in Nairobi, Chirchir urged motorists to consider switching to electric vehicles, citing their lower operating costs and environmental benefits.
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Conventional petrol- and diesel-powered vehicles will, however, continue to use their current reflective number plates, even as the government works toward reducing the number of fuel-powered vehicles on Kenyan roads by 2030.
The rollout of green number plates had initially been scheduled for 2024 during the tenure of former Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, but was postponed for several months.
Under the new system, electric vehicles will display green plates on both the front and rear, making them easily identifiable as zero-emission vehicles.
During the same event, the CS reiterated Kenya’s climate commitments, noting that the country aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 32 per cent by 2030.
“Achieving this target demands action across every sector, and transport is a critical piece of the puzzle,” he said.
National Electric Mobility Policy
The introduction of green number plates is anchored in Kenya’s National Electric Mobility Policy, officially launched on February 3, 2026, which provides a long-term roadmap for transitioning the country’s transport sector away from fossil fuels across road, rail, air and maritime systems.
A key policy target is for electric vehicles to account for at least 5 per cent of all newly registered vehicles by 2025, with a long-term vision of achieving full electrification and net-zero emissions by 2050. The transport sector is central to this plan, given its significant contribution to national greenhouse gas emissions.
The policy is structured around seven strategic pillars, including the development of an integrated regulatory framework, expansion of charging infrastructure, promotion of local manufacturing and assembly, and strengthening technical skills through TVET institutions and universities.
It also emphasises socio-economic inclusion, targeting the participation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in the growing green transport value chain.
The government has further introduced a suite of fiscal incentives, including reduced import duty on electric vehicles, tax relief on batteries and charging equipment, and a dedicated electricity tariff for EV charging.
Also Read: What You Need to Know About Green KD Plates After Purchasing Your New Car in Kenya
E-mobility tariff
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has rolled out a special e-mobility tariff, with lower off-peak rates designed to make charging more affordable, particularly at night.
Kenya’s electricity mix—about 90 per cent of which is generated from renewable sources such as geothermal, wind, and hydropower—has positioned the country as a strong candidate for clean mobility. Officials say the national grid currently has sufficient spare capacity to support large-scale EV adoption without additional strain.
The policy also prioritises infrastructure development, with plans to significantly expand public charging stations in major urban centres. Kenya Power has already committed investment toward rolling out charging infrastructure in cities including Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.
In addition, the government has committed to leading by example through the gradual electrification of its own fleet, including plans to add approximately 1,000 electric vehicles annually to public service use. New building guidelines further encourage commercial developments to allocate a portion of parking spaces to EV charging.
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