BasiGo launches Kenya’s first electric Matatu pilot on intercity routes

So there's an arrival of Complete Knocked Down (CKD) kits at the Associated Vehicle Assemblers (AVA) plant in Mombasa. BasiGo. No longer just an importer, the company is stepping into the role of a local manufacturer. By assembling the Ma3e electric van on Kenyan soil, BasiGo aims to stabilize its supply chain while taking advantage of the lower import duties reserved for parts rather than fully built units.

The groundwork for this move was laid during a rigorous pilot phase where two electric vans navigated the high-traffic Nairobi–Thika and Nyahururu–Nyeri–Nakuru routes. These intercity corridors served as a real-world stress test for battery endurance and charging turnaround times. Because these routes are unforgiving, they provided the data necessary to prove that electric mobility isn't just for city streets.

Breaking the Intercity Range Barrier

Public transport Saccos operating outside the capital have long been wary of electric vehicles. Range anxiety is a rational fear when a driver's livelihood depends on reaching a destination hundreds of kilometers away. The Ma3e seeks to silence those doubts with a 300 km range on a single charge. The pilot success has already translated into a reservation pipeline of 500 units, suggesting the industry is ready to listen.

Tapping into Kenya’s 90% renewable energy grid offers a massive economic carrot for these operators. While diesel prices are often at the mercy of global volatility, electricity costs remain relatively predictable. This stability allows Saccos to protect their margins on long-distance hauls, turning green energy into a competitive advantage.

The Economics of Local Assembly

High upfront costs are the primary wall blocking the matatu sector from going electric. BasiGo attempts to dismantle this barrier through a Pay-As-You-Drive (PAYD) financing model. Under this setup, an owner pays for the vehicle shell while leasing the battery through a mileage-based fee. This arrangement conveniently bundles the costs of charging and routine maintenance into a single operational expense.

Moving production to the AVA plant in Mombasa further sharpens the pencil on these unit economics. Local assembly slashes tax burdens and cuts down on the logistical headaches of shipping finished vehicles. When the first 22 units reach customers this May, they will serve as a high-stakes test case for whether local production can make the electric transition truly affordable for the average Sacco member.

Building Skills and Infrastructure

The partnership with AVA grants BasiGo access to a facility with a massive capacity of 30,000 vehicles per year. This collaboration does more than just churn out vans; it cultivates a local workforce specialized in electric vehicle systems. This pool of talent is essential for meeting the National Electric Mobility Policy 2026, which targets a 5% electric share of new vehicle registrations by next year.

The Ma3e relies on lithium iron-phosphate batteries from CATL, backed by an 8-year warranty. With assembly happening in Mombasa, the technical expertise for these critical components stays within the country. To support this growing intercity fleet, BasiGo is pushing its charging network beyond its 11 Nairobi stations, reaching out toward the coast and central regions to ensure the Ma3e is never too far from a plug.