Ride-hailing platforms are fast becoming a major engine of Kenya’s electric mobility (e-Mobility) push, with close to one in four electric vehicles and motorcycles now operating as digital taxis.
Ride-hailing firm Bolt says that of the 24,754 electric vehicles and motorcycles currently on Kenyan roads, 5,808 are listed on its platform, roughly 23 percent of the total. While rivals such as Uber and Little have not shared comparable figures, Bolt’s data suggests EV adoption is heavily concentrated within the ride-hailing space, helped by the fact that many drivers operate across multiple apps.
The figures underline how the rapid rise of app-based taxis is accelerating Kenya’s shift to electric transport, reinforcing efforts to cut emissions and support climate goals.
Bolt East Africa general manager Dimmy Kanyankole said the sector is drawing in EV drivers because lower running costs translate into better take-home earnings.
“Ride-hailing enables electric vehicles to scale far quicker than private ownership would on its own, because drivers are generating income while benefiting from reduced operating costs,” he said. He added that partnerships with financial institutions are also helping drivers access EVs at more affordable terms. According to Bolt, electric vehicles on its platform are used more intensively than petrol or diesel cars because they are cheaper to run, allowing drivers to earn faster.
Also Read: Katiba Institute Urges Nyakang’o to Stop Pay for Ruto Advisers
Government data shows that Kenya’s EV numbers have surged sharply in recent years. According to the Ministry of Roads and Transport’s newly launched e-mobility policy, the number of EVs has jumped from just 796 in 2022 to 24,754 in 2025.
Motorcycles account for the bulk of these vehicles, followed by buses and passenger cars. Ride-hailing companies first rolled out EVs on their platforms in 2023, with Bolt and Uber announcing gradual transitions starting with electric motorcycles. Bolt now says electric bikes make up 40 percent of all two-wheelers on its platform, while EVs represent 11 percent of the cars it has listed.
The government is also playing a role in boosting uptake, with plans to procure at least 3,000 electric vehicles for ministries by the end of next year. Power utility Kenya Power has similarly announced a phased shift towards electric vehicles within its fleet.
