Luxury electric car imports rise amid record fuel price hikes

Some of the 3,800 cars, including electric vehicles, that were offloaded from the Grande Florida, a vessel operated by Grimaldi Lines, which docked at the Port of Lamu on March 17, 2026. [Robert Menza, Standard]

The landscape of the Kenyan automotive market is set to witness a major shift following the importation of the first premium luxury Electric Vehicles (EVs) through the port of Mombasa. 

The importers said this will spare users the pain of ever-increasing fuel prices while still allowing luxury drives on Kenyan roads, including long-haul trips from Mombasa to Nairobi. 

Equator Mobility, in partnership with Car Imports 254, took delivery of two Mercedes EQC 400 SUVs, signalling a new era for green luxury transport in the country. 

The arrival of the vehicles at the MIT terminal in Mombasa this week marked what is believed to be the debut of luxury electric SUVs on Kenyan roads. 

Juliet Ngung’u, a sales representative for Car Imports 254, confirmed that the vehicles were sourced through Japanese auctions and underwent rigorous SOS tests and inspections before shipment to Kenya. 

“We have seen a high rise in demand for luxury models in the country,” Ngung’u stated.

She noted that more consignments of such vehicles are expected in the near future. 

Speaking separately in Mombasa recently, Principal Secretary for Roads Engineer Joseph Mbugua noted e-mobility uptake is on the increase in the country. 

Mbguua noted that Kenya has over 24,000 electric motorcycles and 9,000 electric vehicles on the road following the launch of the National Electric Mobility Policy. 

The Mercedes EQC 400 models, which arrive as “technically new” used vehicles with approximately 12,000 kilometres of mileage, are designed to balance high-end comfort with efficiency. 

A representative of Equator Mobility, Alex Mwanzo, noted that the vehicles boast a range of 150 kilometres, which theoretically allows for travel from the coast toward Nairobi. 

Safety standards

While the EQC is capable of reaching speeds of 300 km per hour, Mwanzo noted that the units will be electronically limited to 110 km per hour to comply with Kenyan road safety standards. 

The shift towards electric mobility is being heavily influenced by economic factors that include the persistent rise in fuel prices. 

“Fuel prices in Kenya have surged by nearly 100 percent over the last decade, making the savings offered by EVs increasingly attractive,” he explained. 

The vehicles go for between Sh6 million and Sh7 million, but the importers insist they are still affordable compared to other luxury segments in the market. 

Equator Mobility reported a waiting list of about 15 clients specifically looking for these EQC models to beat fuel costs. 

“The transition to electric power is not limited to luxury SUVs. The market is seeing a rapid ‘bottom-up’ shift, with electric technology already becoming common in boda bodas (motorcycles), tuk-tuks, taxis, and buses,” Mwanzo said. 

According to Mwanzo, Kenya is currently developing a specialised curriculum to train technicians to repair and maintain electric vehicles, ensuring the local workforce can handle the new technology. 

“While there are currently only four such models in the country, Equator Mobility aims to increase that number to more than 10 by the end of the year,” he stated. 

He noted that Japan has seen a shift toward EV production as a primary driver for the Kenyan market, which relies heavily on imports from that country.

About e-vehicles

Mercedes EQC 400 models, which arrive as “technically new” used vehicles with approximately 12,000 kilometres of mileage, are designed to balance high-end comfort with efficiency

While the EQC is capable of reaching speeds of 300 km per hour, Mwanzo noted that the units will be electronically limited to 110 km per hour to comply with Kenyan road safety standard 

The shift towards electric mobility is being heavily influenced by economic factors that include the persistent rise in fuel price.