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President William Ruto has been driving himself in an electric vehicle (EV) around Nairobi city during the Africa Climate Summit 2023.
Ruto arrived at KICC Nairobi in the EV during the official launch of the summit on Monday, September 4.
According to Autopax Limited - manufacturer of the EV - Operations Manager Kibibi Mkumba, the model driven by the president is referred to as Autopax AirEv YETU Pro.
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This model covers 300 kilometres on a full charge and could go up to more kilometres depending on the driver's regenerative braking.
"The one President William Ruto is driving is the Y300. On a single charge, it covers 300km. You can attain more kilometres as well, depending on your driving and regenerative braking," said Mkumba in an exclusive interview with TUKO.co.ke.
The locally owned company partnered with SGMW, a leading global automotive manufacturer, to introduce a range of EVs tailored to meet the needs of the Kenyan market.
The deal saw the first batch - Autopax AirEv YETU (covers 200km on a full charge) and Autopax AirEv YETU Pro (covers 300km) - arrive in the country.
Mkumba estimated the electric vehicle price range to between KSh 1.5 million to KSh 1.7 million, adding that discussions are underway to manufacture the vehicle locally so as to reduce the market price.
These are our first units. We expect the price to be in the range of KSh 1.5 million to KSh 1.7 million. We are in discussions with various dealers. We expect to assemble locally so that we are able to bring down the price," she noted.
The operations managers revealed that the company has so far received a good number of orders from Kenyans.
"Kenyans have received it well. Expect to see more of these cars on the road," she added.
SGMW reported global small Electric Vehicle (GSEV) sales exceeding 1.34 million units, with a production base in China and Indonesia.
The company's overseas markets cover more than 40 countries and regions, including Central and South America, the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia
Its Kenyan partner Autopax Limited intends to increase sales through partnerships with CFAO Group, Cooperative Bank of Kenya and various charging infrastructure companies.
The company guaranteed that the EV models offer lower operating costs - an Autopax Electric Vehicle spend 40% of what is spent on petrol. If you would have spent KSh 100 on fuel, you will now spend a maximum of Sh 40.
The vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions, reducing harmful air pollutants contributing to climate change and air pollution.
This is not the first time the president was driving an electric vehicle in the country.
In August 2023, Ruto drove a Hyundai IONIQ 5 - a midsize all-electric car boasting of an impressive driving range and incorporates advanced battery technology to facilitate ultra-fast charging- at State House Nairobi.
The president affirmed his commitment to rejuvenating the boda boda sector, with a specific emphasis on the widespread adoption of electric motorcycles.
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Ruto drove the Autopax AirEv Yetu model Y300.
Ruto drives himself in electric car ahead of Africa Climate Summit – Nairobi News
The Sh1.7m Air Yetu electric car that Ruto drove to KICC