By Benard Wabwire
Over the last few years, the Kenyan automotive industry has witnessed a rise in Chinese-manufactured vehicles encompassing both ICE vehicles (Internal Combustion Engines) and EVs (Electric Vehicles). These vehicles are often lauded for their affordability, eco-friendliness, and advanced technological features, positioning them as competitive alternatives to traditional models.
Prominent brands such as BYD, NETA, GWM (Great Wall Motors), MG (Morris Garages), Skyworth, and Changan have all made their mark in the Kenyan market, introducing a range of new models that cater to various consumer needs.
Their entry has provoked mixed responses among motorists and the general public ranging from excitement to cynicism. Like any new advancement in technology, it has drawn lines dividing the people into factions about these future technologies.
Where do you Stand?
Where do you stand, in the Kenyan EV and Chinese cars debate?
The Early Adopters The Pioneers of the Future: These are the individuals who queued to be among the first to drive electric cars. For them, Chinese cars and EVs are a solution to modern challenges like environmental sustainability and technological advancement. You will find them tooting around in brand-new, energy-efficient cars in the middle of Nairobi with a grin as they connect their car to the charging points. This group is not particularly interested in the resale value; they are interested in sustainable development, low carbon emissions, and new technologies.
So if you’ve ever been in a position to stand before your peers and told them “I am taking it because it is the future” – then you most likely are in this bracket. You are the kind that queued for the latest smartphone model and believes automation is soon going to make cars drive themselves.
The other group, The Pragmatists: The Wait-and-See, But Interested: Are intrigued by the potential of electric vehicles but prioritize practicality and reliability. Such people are not so interested in how posh the car is, they need to know if the car will fit in the Kenyan environment – roads and infrastructure. They say: Yes, electric vehicles are a great invention, but can they endure our roads? But where are these charging stations other than Nairobi? I’ll wait until I am certain the network is available.”
You fit into this category if you are waiting for the first wave of kinks to be ironed out before you invest your money. You’re asking important questions like: Is it going to be enough for a road trip to Kisumu? As much as I didn’t like it, What is the warranty for a Chinese vehicle?
We also have The Skeptics: It is a Passing Fad group: Skeptics display an unwavering hesitance toward new technologies. They harbor concerns about the reliability of cars sourced from China and the long-term viability of electric vehicles. Questions arise around sustainability, affordability, and spare parts availability.
Are you a skeptic? If your first thought regarding the brand new shiny car is ‘let me wait until it proves itself’ and you have some questions about quality management, then you most likely, are here. Perhaps you have heard stories about imitated, low-quality, and lifespan electric cars or do not believe that EVs can stand the Kenyan or African conditions.
The Technophobes: Well, as much as possible; Get That Future Stuff Away from Me group: This group is a resistant population. New technologies are nothing else than horrifying or just irritating for them. For such people, petrol and diesel cars are as far as they are willing to go. Such things as having an engine that does not make any noise or that you plug in a car as you do a toaster could puzzle them. Their Thoughts “Well it doesn’t matter what anyone says, I prefer the traditional petrol car I don’t need a smart car.”
If only the idea of not using a fuel-guzzling monster is something you are not willing to entertain, you probably fall on this list. You want to hear your car loud, you want that car to be solid, and you do not want anything to go wrong.
The final group consists of The Environmentalists: Save the Earth, Buy an EV: These people are concerned with reducing their carbon footprint. To them, an electric vehicle is not only a car but also a lifestyle. These might be the people who have been campaigning for global warming, car emissions, etc., for years, and now there is something they can jump for joy about! What they say: we owe it to the planet to make this change. How many carbon cuts do you think we can achieve now that we can easily switch to electric? Also, it is far more cost-effective to charge than it is to fuel! So, If you have considered installing solar panels at home to charge your electric car, then you might just be one of them. Your goal is not to utilize cheaper energy and generate less profit; instead, you should aim at making our planet a greener planet.
Which category do you fall in?