"Overdrive: Strategies to Fast-Track Kenya's Electric Vehicle Push"

Kenya has demonstrated promising commitment and progress on electric mobility lately which provides a conducive starting point for accelerated adoption. Recent policy plans to lower import duties on EVs and allow buses and motorcycles to be converted to electric power systems indicate supportive intent from the government. A fledgling local EV manufacturing industry is also taking shape, which can be further enabled.

Building on these developments, Kenya can drive faster mainstreaming of electric vehicles by:

1. Offering additional tax rebates, registration incentives for new EVs, and subsidized financing for public transport EV purchases over the next 5 years.

2. Investing extensively in charging points across Nairobi and other cities and towns in the country, this year while also upgrading the grid and electricity infrastructure to handle increased electrified transport over the next decade.

3. Launching policy mandates for all new taxi sign-ups in cities and towns across Kenya to be electric from 2025. Coupled with purchase incentives, this can drive mass public exposure.

4. Providing special economic zones with reliable infrastructure for local EV and lithium battery assembly to support job creation. Additional policy stability can be guaranteed to secure investments.

5. Amending building regulations to require all new parking developments in urban areas to allocate a minimum percentage of spots with EV charging provision available. Makes charging ubiquitous.

Kenya can therefore intentionally and deliberately leverage existing progress through robust incentives and regulation, strategic infrastructure investments, pioneering public transit EV projects, and enabling local manufacturing support. This coordinated effort across stakeholders can truly accelerate mainstream adoption in the country. The economic, environmental, and social rationale strongly supports this transition.