Auto24.africa, the online car marketplace backed by global automotive giant Stellantis, has officially launched a new electric vehicle-focused subsidiary, EV24.africa, with operations kicking off in Kenya. This strategic move marks a significant step in accelerating the adoption of electric mobility across East Africa. Kenya was chosen as the launchpad for EV24.africa due to its pivotal role as a regional hub for electric vehicle (EV) development.
The country’s geographic and economic positioning allows it to serve as a gateway to neighboring markets including Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and South Sudan. According to Younes Rabeh, Business Development Manager at Auto24, Kenya’s connectivity and growing EV ecosystem made it the ideal starting point.
Although Kenya’s EV market is still in its early stages, it is expanding rapidly. Industry forecasts project the market to grow from $50 million in 2025 to $250 million by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 38%. This growth is underpinned by Kenya’s clean energy infrastructure, over 90% of the country’s electricity is generated from renewable sources such as geothermal, hydro, and wind. This positions electric vehicles as a more sustainable alternative to traditional combustion engines.
Infrastructure is also improving, with over 200 public charging stations already installed. The government has set an ambitious target to increase this number to 10,000 by 2030, although rural areas still face significant coverage gaps. Electric motorcycles dominate Kenya’s EV landscape, accounting for approximately 90% of all electric vehicles in the country.
This segment alone is expected to reach 60,000 units by 2030, driven by strong demand in the bodaboda (motorcycle taxi) sector and major investments such as Spiro’s $100 million funding round, one of the largest EV deals in Africa to date. EV adoption is accelerating: sales have surged from just 65 units in 2018 to over 4,000 in 2023, and analysts predict that electric vehicles will make up 5% of all new vehicle registrations by 2025.
EV24.africa aims to remove the friction from EV ownership by offering a fully managed, digital-first experience. The platform handles everything from logistics and import duties to vehicle registration and online ordering, making it easier for consumers and businesses to transition to electric mobility. This approach addresses long-standing challenges in African car markets, including low consumer trust, high upfront costs, and limited access to financing.
By streamlining the purchase process, Auto24 hopes to make EVs more accessible and appealing to a broader audience. Kenya’s government has played a key role in fostering EV adoption through favorable policies, including reducing import duties to 10% and eliminating VAT on electric vehicles. These incentives have significantly lowered the cost barrier for both individual buyers and fleet operators.
The country’s EV ecosystem is expanding rapidly, with notable players such as:
- BasiGo – electric buses
- Spiro – electric motorcycles
- Moja EV, BYD Kenya, Equator Mobility, and The Green Camel Ltd. – offering various EV solutions and import services
With the launch of EV24.africa, Auto24 joins a growing list of companies betting on East Africa’s transition to clean, sustainable mobility. Its digital-first model could play a crucial role in bridging the gap between rising demand and limited supply, helping to shape the future of transportation in the region.
