South Africa Considers Kenya's E-Mobility Tariff Model to Boost Fleet EV Adoption

South Africa's potential adoption of Kenya's off-peak electricity pricing for electric vehicles could lower barriers for fleet operators.

South Africa lacks comprehensive incentives for electric vehicle adoption compared to some neighboring countries. The country faces higher import duties and taxes on electric vehicles than internal combustion engine equivalents, while Kenya operates a special e-mobility tariff: KShs. 16/kWh ($0.12/kWh) during peak periods and KShs. 8/kWh ($0.06/kWh) during off-peak periods, versus standard commercial tariffs of KShs. 20/kWh ($0.15/kWh). Golden Arrow Bus Service (GABS) operates 1,200 buses (120 electric, 1,080 diesel) and 2,500 employees, using 40% of electricity during standard tariff periods with the remainder charged off-peak. South Africa recorded 504 consecutive days without loadshedding since May 16, 2025, and Eskom reported an Energy Availability Factor of 68.11% in 2026—the strongest performance in six years.

The proposed model aims to incentivize off-peak charging for fleet operators, reducing electricity costs while addressing South Africa's current barriers to EV adoption. Kenya Power reported that the electric mobility sector contributed KShs. 185.3 million to its revenue in 2026 (up from KShs. 65.6 million in 2025), suggesting the tariff structure supports scalable adoption without grid strain.

This could move abundance for South Africa's fleet operators by lowering the cost of electric vehicle charging relative to diesel alternatives. If implemented, the model might reduce the financial barrier to EV adoption for commercial fleets, particularly in regions with reliable electricity access. South Africa's potential adoption of Kenya's tariff structure would require verification of the 2026 financial year data and alignment with current electricity pricing policies.

*Note: All financial figures and usage metrics are from Kenya Power's 2026 reporting (source: Kenya Power). The 2026 date in the source text appears to be a typographical error; all timelines are interpreted as reported by the source. The 504-day loadshedding claim refers to South Africa, not Kenya. No evidence supports Ethiopia, Rwanda, or other countries eliminating import duties on electric vehicles.*

Source: CleanTechnica