The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) has announced a mandatory assessment test for electric car batteries and motocycles imported into the country to comply with the approved standards.
KEBS in a notice stated that all importers of electric cars and motorcycles are required to undergo the quality inspection of all electric vehicles and motorcycle based on Kenyan standards.
In addition, the bureau announced the date when the pre-export mandatory inspection and verification would start.
“We wish to notify all importers of electric motorcycles and electric motor vehicle batteries that starting 1st January 2024 all electric motor vehicle and motorcycles batteries imported into the country shall be required to undergo mandatory Pre-Export verification,” read the notice by KEBS.
KEBS Directive to Importers
Likewise, KEBS while directing importers of the electric cars and motorcycle batteries as also noted that the importers are required to submit a conformity of the purchase to appointed KEBS agents in the countries of origin.
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Similarly, the body warned importers that those cleared are the only ones who will be allowed in the country by January 2024.
“Please note that only Electric Motor Vehicle and Electric Motorcycle batteries accompanied by certificate of conformity issued by KEBS appointed PVOC agent shall be allowed into the country,” read the notice in part.
Notably, KEBS on its website published a list of pre-shipment inspection agents available in various countries of export.
Electric Vehicles industry
Kenya is seeing tremendous growth of the automotive industry in the adoption of autonomous and electric vehicles (EVs) worldwide.
However, according to reports at the end of 2020, there were already ten million electric cars on roads globally, indicating rapid growth despite a downturn in overall car sales.
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According to the Ministry of Transport in Kenya, Electric mobility has been prioritized as a mitigation action that offers immense health and sustainability.
Electric Vehicles in Kenya
Also, the ministry has developed guidelines on usage of the electric cars and motor vehicles in line with the battery electric mopeds performance.
A 2021 report outlined the EV usage with reference to energy consumption and range the procedures for measuring the reference of energy consumption.
Furthermore, conditions such as vehicle conditions, atmospheric conditions, rider and riding position, and road conditions are both specified to guide the test procedure.
