BasiGo has pushed the boundaries of Kenya’s public transport by piloting electric matatus on inter‑city routes, aiming to revolutionise travel between Nairobi and satellite towns.
Building on its success with electric buses in urban Nairobi, the startup has launched trials on longer distances, marking a bold move to test the feasibility of electric PSV operations over extended routes.
These early-stage trials come as part of BasiGo’s broader strategy to decarbonise Kenya’s matatu sector and leverage locally assembled electric vehicles (EVs).
The pilot features BasiGo’s locally assembled 25‑seat (K6) and 36‑seat (E9 Kubwa) electric vehicles, sourced from BYD and assembled at the Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers plant in Thika.
With support from key partners including Citi Hoppa and Super Metro these electric matatus are being tested on routes extending beyond the Nairobi CBD to towns like Kitengela, Rongai, and Kiambu.
Each bus boasts a range of up to 250 km per charge, rechargeable in under four hours, and equipped with modern amenities such as USB ports and Wi‑Fi enhancing passenger comfort while aiming to be cost‑competitive with diesel counterparts.
This shift has been made possible through substantial financing rounds, including Sh766 million from British International Investment and Sh395 million from Toyota Tsusho’s CFAO Group, enabling BasiGo to scale assembly and distribution efforts ahead of its 1,000‑bus target across East Africa by 2026.
A Pay‑As‑You‑Drive model allows operators to lease the batteries and infrastructure separately, mitigating upfront cost hurdles a key barrier in electric public transport adoption.
However, the inter‑city pilot represents a crucial trial for BasiGo. Operating over rougher terrain and greater distances exposes the bus performance, battery resilience, and charging logistics to their greatest stress.
Charging infrastructure, though expanding with six‑bus capacity stations in Buruburu, Kikuyu, and Cabanas must scale rapidly to support multiple vehicles running simultaneous long routes.
Maintenance schedules, spare parts availability, and battery servicing will also face real‑world pressures previously untested in urban cycles.
Challenges extend beyond hardware. Drivers need training to optimise electric powertrains and maintain efficient charging routines, and passengers must acclimatise to new boarding routines tied to charging downtime.
Moreover, fluctuating road conditions especially during rainy seasons threaten to impact range and punctuality, tipping the economic balance away from operators if not managed.
Despite these risks, early feedback has been positive. Operators report lower fuel costs and quieter rides, offering commuters a smoother and cleaner alternative.
Government support, highlighted by engaging cabinet secretaries during inauguration events at Thika assembly lines, further signals political backing for this green transport push.
As BasiGo embarks on this extended pilot, the stakes are high: success could validate electric matatus as a viable inter‑city alternative, reduce carbon emissions significantly, and catalyse a shift in East Africa’s transport landscape.
Conversely, any breakdowns, service interruptions, or logistical snags could stall investor confidence and slow momentum.
Operators, commuters, and regulators will watch closely: will BasiGo’s electrified fleet prove robust enough to handle Kenya’s demanding terrain or will the inter‑city highway become its greatest hurdle?
Written By Ian Maleve
