Written By: Faith Jemosop
Kenya’s Electric Vehicle (EV) market has a strong momentum heading into 2025, driven by governmental incentives, growing infrastructure, and expanding model availability. As part of the July 1, 2025 update, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) published a revised Current Retail Selling Price (CRSP) list, this serves as the taxable value baseline for imported EVs .
Here are the top 10 cheapest EVs in Kenya (CRSP values, pre-import costs):
| Rank | Make & Model | Body Type | CRSP (KES) |
| 1 | Toyota C+ Walk T | Hatchback | 544,402 |
| 2 | Toyota C+ Walk T (Z variant) | Hatchback | 578,216 |
| 3 | Toyota C+ Walk S | Hatchback | 776,180 |
| 4 | Dongfeng EX1 Nano | SUV | 1,583,128 |
| 5 | Dongfeng Nammi 01 | Hatchback | 2,005,296 |
| 6 | Toyota C+ Pod G | Hatchback | 2,637,475 |
| 7 | Nissan Clipper DX GL | Van | 2,657,763 |
| 8 | Neta N01 | SUV | 2,673,728 |
| 9 | Toyota C+ Pod | Hatchback | 2,877,245 |
| 10 | Vauxhall Yes 1.2 Turbo | 2,980,660 |
These KRA-listed prices exclude import duties, VAT, excise duties, shipping, or dealer markups, the final market price for consumers will be substantially higher.
Beyond Budget Models
Kenya also features a growing selection of mid-range and premium EVs, imported through dealers like Kia Kenya (EV5, EV6), Hyundai (Kona, Ioniq 5), and luxury-focused brands (BMW, VW, BYD). Popular imports include:
- BMW iX3 SUV: ~KSh 10–12 million (used/imported)
- Ora Good Cat compact: KSh 2.5–4 million (used/imported)
- BYD and others available through Autopax, EV24.africa, UTU Africa, etc.
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What Influences EV Pricing in Kenya?
1. KRA CRSP Baseline
This retail price list drives import tax calculations. Higher CRSP means higher import costs, which are passed to consumers.
2. Government Duty Waivers & VAT Incentives
While EVs are still eligible for some tax waivers, recent proposals under the 2024 Finance Bill include VAT on lithium batteries, which may drive up prices.
3. Dealership Costs
Kenya now hosts several assembly plants (e.g., Autopax AirEv YETU and BasiGo), but most EVs are still imported (used/new). Dealers often reclassify so-called ‘personal imports’ or local-assembled units, influencing price variability widely.
4. Vehicle Condition (New vs. Used)
Most affordable EVs in Kenya are used (grey imports), often from Japan. While cost-effective, they carry the risk of battery degradation and limited warranties. Used premiums include high-mileage Teslas or EVs tuned by ride-hailing services elsewhere, tricky to manage here.
5. Charging Infrastructure
Costs for home chargers, public access, and upgrading, especially in dense urban areas, can add ~KSh 100,000–300,000 upfront depending on setup. Kenya Power has budgeted ~KSh 258 million over three years to expand charging hubs in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and beyond.
What to Consider Before You Buy
1. Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
EVs typically offer lower running costs than Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) cars due to cheaper electricity, fewer moving parts, and lower maintenance, rooftop benefits may reach ~KSh 200,000/year savings . Don’t forget: charger installation and consumables impact initial spend.
2. Battery Condition & Warranty
Used EVs can come with battery health issues. Batteries degrade faster with DC charging and high-mileage usage, limiting range and performance. Always:
- Request a battery health report
- Check warranty coverage (8 years/160k km is common)
- Avoid high-mileage ride-hail EVs with no guarantees
3. Range Suitability
In urban Kenya, 200–350 km range is ideal. EVs with >400 km are useful for inter-city travel. Understand that typical usage like charging to 80–90% and avoiding 0% preserves battery life and reduces actual range.
4. Charging Ecosystem
Map out your charging options:
- Home charging: Level 2 AC setup (~240 V) is efficient for nightly use
- Public DC fast charging: Sparse in Nairobi, but growing (2–4 stations currently)
- As of mid‑2025, expect expansion of hubs via Kenya Power, retailers, and startup networks
5. Resale & Longevity
EV resale in Kenya is growing, especially as the second-hand market matures. Focus on battery condition and available support, local assembly (AirEv, BasiGo buses) may offer better after-sales frameworks.
6. Policy Trends
While EV import taxes remain favorable, lawmakers are eyeing VAT on batteries. Monitor ongoing legislation, final Finance Bill passages could impact pricing later in 2025.
7. Model Fit & Lifestyle Needs
Choose an EV that matches your usage:
- Compact city runabout: Toyota C+ Pod, Neta N01, Dongfeng EX1 (~KSh 0.5–2 m CRSP + import duties)
- Urban SUV/Family vehicle: Used iX3, Kona, Ioniq, ID.4 (KSh 3–12 m+)
- Commercial use: Light EV vans (Clipper, MiEV) or buses (BasiGo) offer efficiency on business routes
Also read: Top 10 Battery Manufacturers in Africa In 2025
Quick EV-Buying Checklist
- Budget with taxes included: Use CRSP plus 30–50% mark-up for import/idle costs
- Assess battery condition: Demand diagnostics & confirm coverage
- Calculate TCO: Factor electricity vs fuel, maintenance, charger install
- Plan charging: Ensure at least home + public charger network coverage
- Check policy updates: Track VAT/battery tax proposals mid‑2025
- Match lifestyle: Hatchback / SUV / van as per use-case
- Vet dealer & aftercare: Prefer local assembly/distribution for easier servicing