By: Kanto Kai
Okanta
BasiGo
has begun local assembly of its electric vans in Kenya, marking a significant
milestone in the country’s transition to electric mobility and the expansion of
domestic automotive manufacturing capacity.
The initiative, delivered in partnership with
Associated Vehicle Assemblers (AVA), a Mombasa-based contract manufacturer,
involves assembling the Ma3e electric van from Complete Knocked Down (CKD)
kits. The first batch of 22 locally assembled units is expected to be delivered
to customers in April and May.
The Ma3e electric van is designed for high-utilisation
transport operations, with a range of up to 300 kilometres (NEDC). It is
targeted at multiple use cases including public transport services, school
transport, corporate staff mobility, airport transfers, and hotel shuttle
operations.
BasiGo has spent the past 10 months
operating pilot electric vans on intercity routes, including
Nyahururu–Nyeri–Nakuru and Nairobi–Thika corridors. According to the company,
the performance of these vehicles has validated both the technology and operating
model, contributing to a growing reservation pipeline exceeding 500 units.
The commencement of local assembly is
positioned as a key step toward scaling production and accelerating adoption of
electric mobility solutions across Kenya.
Looking
ahead, BasiGo plans to deploy thousands of electric vans nationwide as part of
its broader strategy to support Kenya’s climate targets and strengthen the
country’s role as a regional model for clean and inclusive transport systems.
