Fuel price surge in Kenya
Fuel shortages in Kenya, caused by the Iran–US conflict, are driving a rapid shift toward electric scooters. This has pushed Kenya, along with other parts of the world, to adopt electric scooters as a viable alternative means of transport to fossil fuel-powered vehicles.
Strait of Hormuz disruption
Across the globe, the trend is similar. In Pakistan, disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route through which about 25 per cent of the world’s petroleum and gas supplies pass, have led to fuel shortages and rising prices.
As a result, there has been a significant increase in demand for electric scooters and e-mobility motorcycles.
Electric scooter rising demand
According to Business Recorder, scooter demand in Pakistan has outpaced supply, with many local showrooms running out of stock. Manufacturing units are struggling to keep up with the surge.
A trader, Muhammad Sabir Shaikh, revealed that scooter availability in the market has drastically declined. Traders who previously ordered 1,000 scooters per month are now placing orders for up to 10,000 units due to overwhelming demand.
Pakistan E-scooter demand surges
This surge has also triggered a rise in scooter prices. Despite this, demand remains strong. Shaikh noted that even if fuel prices stabilise, the demand for electric scooters is likely to remain high, with prices holding steady due to sustained interest.
“Nowadays, there is an acute shortage of electric bikes and scooters in the local market following the Iran war and the rise in fuel prices,” Shaikh said.
“EV bike assemblers have placed orders for completely knocked down (CKD) kits more than ten times their usual volume to meet market demand. For instance, an assembler who would typically order 1,000 units has now ordered up to 10,000 units.”
Industry data also shows a shift in consumer behaviour. Hamza Asad, a sales director at an electric scooter assembly company in Pakistan, explained that before the Iran–US conflict, 65 per cent of buyers were new customers, while 35 per cent had switched from petrol-powered vehicles.
After the conflict, the trend has reversed, with 85 per cent of buyers now transitioning from fossil fuel vehicles, signalling a major shift toward e-mobility.
“However, following the recent surge in fuel prices, monthly demand has nearly doubled to about 29,600 units. Evee alone accounted for the largest share, selling 9,680 units last month. The customer mix has also changed significantly, with 87% of buyers now switching from petrol bikes, while only 13% represent new entrants to the EV segment, highlighting a rapid transition toward electric mobility,” Asad said.
Kenya EV adoption policy
In Kenya, the impact of the global fuel crisis is increasingly evident. With uncertainty surrounding the Middle East conflict, the Kenyan government is exploring ways to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles (EVs).
Finance Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi recently told the Finance Committee, chaired by Molo MP Kimani Kuria, that the government has shifted its procurement strategy from 2,500 petrol-powered vehicles to 3,000 locally assembled electric cars.
The government is also working on tax incentives aimed at promoting electric mobility adoption in Kenya, making EVs more accessible to the public.
As fuel prices remain volatile, electric scooters are becoming one of the most viable transport solutions in Kenya. Their affordability, efficiency, and low running costs make them an attractive option for daily commuters.
Even after the Iran–US conflict subsides, experts believe that electric scooters will continue to dominate as a preferred mode of transport. What initially appeared as a crisis may ultimately accelerate Kenya’s transition toward sustainable and eco-friendly mobility.
Future of electric transport
Globally, fuel shortages have significantly boosted the demand for scooter bikes. While demand was already growing, the current crisis has effectively doubled interest in electric scooters and alternative transport solutions.
