Dynamics of Electric Mobility Transition in Kenya
By Ashay Abbhi, Manager, Climate Change, Intellecap
George, a delivery executive, lives in a modest home on the outskirts of Nairobi. He unplugs the wire that charges his shiny new electric bike, presses a tiny switch bringing the quiet engine to life, and rides off to deliver happiness in the form of food. George is part of a large cohort of gig economy workers who swear by this innovation. They feel that while it has a relatively high upfront cost, various leasing and pay-as-you-go models make ownership easier. Moreover, the e-bike saves time otherwise wasted in queues at petrol stations since the ‘e-juice’ is now available at home, which means an increased take-home pay. A few also take pride in the fact that it is good for the environment. While there are multiple transitional challen...