BasiGo, the pioneering electric mobility startup in Kenya, is set to revolutionize the country’s transportation landscape with its ambitious plan to establish 16 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across Nairobi by the end of this year. This significant development comes as Kenya’s e-mobility revolution gains momentum, signaling a major shift toward sustainable transportation.
CEO Jit Bhattacharya revealed the company’s groundbreaking vision during the inauguration of BasiGo’s first-ever public charging station at the TJ&U garage in Nairobi’s Buruburu estate. This charging depot marks the third of its kind in the city, but it is the first accessible to the general public. Bhattacharya emphasized that the aim is to establish 16 such stations in Nairobi by December, with plans to expand the service to other regions of the country in the near future.
Valued at Sh4 million, this state-of-the-art facility boasts the capacity to charge six electric buses simultaneously. Initially, the charging station will exclusively cater to BasiGo’s existing fleet of 17 buses until December, after which it will become available for public use by third-party EV owners.
Bhattacharya explained, “This charging station can accommodate the charging of six electric buses simultaneously, and we have designed it with the potential to expand to the charging of up to 30 electric buses at this location in the future.”
The charging expenses will be incorporated into BasiGo’s pay-as-you-drive subscription model, wherein customers pay a daily fee of Sh20 per kilometer, covering the battery leasing costs. A typical recharging period for a bus at the station is two hours, primarily taking place during nighttime when the power supply is sufficient to sustain a full-day ride.
In addition to the remarkable charging infrastructure, BasiGo proudly announced its noteworthy accomplishments since entering Kenya’s e-mobility sector in March of last year. The startup’s fleet has successfully covered an impressive 280,000 kilometers on Nairobi roads, serving over 360,000 passengers while significantly reducing carbon emissions by 120 tonnes.
With an ambitious long-term objective of achieving zero emissions over the distance covered, BasiGo has set its sights on deploying 1,000 electric buses in Kenya by 2025. This bold initiative reflects the company’s commitment to combating the adverse effects of accelerated global climate change.