Updated 10 November 2026
The EV charging tariff Kenya uses is a special e-mobility category in Kenya Power’s tariff schedule. It sets an energy charge of KSh 16 per kWh in normal hours and KSh 8 per kWh off-peak, for qualifying charging and battery-swapping sites. In September 2026, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) removed the old 15,000 kWh monthly ceiling on the category. Larger charging hubs, electric bus depots and swap networks no longer lose the preferential rate as they grow.
Checked on 8 November 2026. Sources: the EPRA amendment to Kenya Power’s tariff schedule (Kenya Gazette, 18 September 2026) as reported by Pulse Kenya (22 September 2026) and TechInKenya, and the off-peak rate announcement reported by The Kenya Times. Always confirm the current charge on your Kenya Power bill or with EPRA.
Contents: Rates · Who qualifies · 2026 cap change · Public charger prices · Safety rules · Cost example · FAQ
EV charging tariff Kenya rates
| Item | E-mobility category |
|---|---|
| Energy charge, normal hours | KSh 16 per kWh |
| Energy charge, off-peak hours | KSh 8 per kWh (half the normal rate) |
| Supply voltage | 240 V or 415 V, supplied and metered by Kenya Power |
| Monthly ceiling | Old 15,000 kWh cap removed (Gazette, 18 September 2026) |
| Introduced | 2023 |
The EV charging tariff Kenya Power bills covers energy charges only. Like every Kenya Power bill, an e-mobility bill also carries pass-through items such as the fuel energy cost charge, forex and inflation adjustments, levies and VAT, which change monthly. Our report on EPRA’s October electricity charges shows how these items affect the price of a unit.
Who qualifies for the EV charging tariff Kenya Power offers
The category covers electricity that Kenya Power supplies at 240 or 415 volts to qualifying EV charging and battery-swapping infrastructure. EPRA’s charging guidelines also allow the tariff for home charging, but only if the required metering is in place, which normally means a separate, dedicated meter for the charger. You cannot simply plug an EV into an ordinary domestic socket and pay e-mobility rates. Speak to Kenya Power about a separate e-mobility account before you install a wallbox.
The main users of the EV charging tariff Kenya offers are charging businesses, fleet depots, boda boda battery-swap operators and estates that install shared chargers. Electric motorcycles make up a large share of the market. The Ministry of Roads and Transport reported 39,324 EVs registered by the end of 2025, up from 1,378 in 2022.
What changed in the EV charging tariff Kenya rules in September 2026
Before the amendment, the e-mobility rate applied only up to 15,000 kWh a month. Above that, a busy site faced more expensive power. EPRA’s change, gazetted on 18 September 2026, removed that fixed ceiling. Consumption above a site’s energy threshold is now billed through the discounted time-of-use structure. For new customers, the threshold is based on average use in the first three months, with a growth factor applied.
The reason is growth. EPRA recorded e-mobility consumption rising 300% to 5.04 GWh in the year to June 2025, from 1.26 GWh a year earlier. Kenya Power says it earned KSh 382 million from e-mobility sales between July 2023 and April 2026, and projects that e-mobility could bring in KSh 5.9 billion in electricity sales by 2030. Kenya also launched its National Electric Mobility Policy in February 2026.
Why public chargers cost more than KSh 16
The KSh 16 and KSh 8 rates are what the charging operator pays Kenya Power, not what motorists pay at the plug. Public charging is a commercial service. Operators add the cost of the charger, installation, grid connection, software, land, staff and maintenance. For example, BasiGo and Rubis announced an indicative KSh 48 per kWh at their highway charging sites. Always check the price per kWh shown on the charger or app before you plug in.
Charging station safety regulations
The Electricity (Electric Vehicle Charging Station Safety) Regulations, 2026 apply to charging-station owners, installers, contractors, importers and retailers. Stations must be properly designed, installed, tested, certified and inspected. Owners must carry out a safety assessment at least once a year, keep the records for five years and take unsafe equipment out of service. The rules prohibit unsuitable extension leads, unapproved adapters and multiple supply leads. Use an EPRA-licensed electrician for any installation.
Example: what the EV charging tariff Kenya rates mean for one charge
As an illustration of energy charges only: a battery that takes 40 kWh to fill costs about KSh 640 at KSh 16 per kWh, or about KSh 320 at the KSh 8 off-peak rate, before pass-through charges, levies and VAT. The same 40 kWh at an indicative KSh 48 public rate costs about KSh 1,920. These figures are arithmetic, not quotes. Your actual bill depends on the month’s pass-through charges and your meter set-up.
For businesses, the EV charging tariff Kenya offers works best with overnight charging. A fleet that charges off-peak pays half the normal energy charge. For a wider look at cutting power costs, see our guide to net metering rules in Kenya, which explains how solar owners can offset grid power.
EV charging tariff Kenya: frequently asked questions
What is the EV charging tariff in Kenya?
The e-mobility energy charge is KSh 16 per kWh in normal hours and KSh 8 per kWh off-peak, plus pass-through charges, levies and VAT.
Can I use the e-mobility tariff at home?
Only with the metering arrangement that EPRA’s guidelines require, usually a separate meter for the charger. Ask Kenya Power before installing one.
Was the 15,000 kWh limit removed?
Yes. EPRA amended Kenya Power’s tariff schedule in a notice gazetted on 18 September 2026 to remove the fixed monthly ceiling.
Why does a public charger cost more than KSh 16 per kWh?
Operators add the cost of equipment, installation, land, staff and software to the electricity cost. For example, BasiGo and Rubis announced an indicative KSh 48 per kWh at highway sites.
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