The recent launch of Chinese electric vehicles in Kenya's taxi market is expected to promote the African country's green transformation. Kenyan taxi drivers told China Daily that using electric vehicles not only saves costs, but also contributes to the country's green development. Kenyan taxi drivers favor Chinese electric cars

Taxi driver Patrick Opio drives his electric taxi through the streets of Nairobi, Kenya. The electric car is relatively quiet during the ride, and Opio's passengers can rest in the car and work without interference.

Like most drivers in Kenya, Opio used to drive a petrol vehicle. With gasoline prices soaring in Kenya, he has set his sights on electric vehicles. When he learned that Moja EV, a Chinese electric vehicle agency, was launching electric taxis in Nairobi, he did not hesitate to switch to electric vehicles.

Today, Opio often goes to a free charging station to recharge his taxi. In April, Kenya Power established two such charging stations in Nairobi, offering free service to the public to support sustainable transportation in the city. In addition, Nairobi has also built a number of charging stations for electric vehicles that require a fee.

Wycliffe Mandela, another Nairobi taxi driver, also chose Chinese electric vehicles. He is particularly interested in the cost advantages of electric vehicles, such as the same 200 kilometers, the fuel car needs 29 US dollars (about 210 yuan), and the electric car charging only 6 US dollars (about 43.5 yuan).

"I'm an environmental enthusiast." Opio, a taxi driver, said: "I am very happy to see more and more industries in our country taking environmental measures. I am proud that my electric car is also contributing to the green goals."

According to Moja EV's statistics, the majority of taxis in Kenya are currently used fuel vehicles, with each vehicle emitting about 20 kilograms of CO2 per 100 kilometers traveled. In contrast, most of Kenya's electricity comes from renewable sources, including hydropower, geothermal, wind and solar.

China's electric vehicle industry has boomed in the past decade, accumulating technical experience and production experience. In November, representatives from Kenya's Matatu Owners Association and the Commercial Bank of Kenya travelled to China to learn about the electric bus market in order to advance the green transformation of Kenya's public transport sector.

Kenya aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. It seems that some Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers are already contributing to Kenya's long-term goal.