Electric vehicles transition in developing countries : A case study of Nairobi-Kenya

Abstract

Automobility is confronted with the need for change to address the persistent problems such as increasing traffic congestion and atmospheric pollution (including emissions that contribute to climate change. In practice, the rapid and increased warming of the global average temperature to 1.5 ° C poses a challenge to earth systems and this phenomenon is largely due to the high level of vehicles powered by fossil fuels, mainly diesel and petrol, that has dominated the automobile landscape. This has challenged policymakers, politicians, businesses, organizations, civil society groups to identify more sustainable automobility options. Therefore, the aim and purpose of this thesis is to assess the possibilities of an electric vehicle transition in Nairobi-Kenya, using the MLP as a theoretical point of departure. The thesis briefly highlights on the application of the MLP in EV transitions in developed countries such as Norway and Sweden and compares with the situation in Nairobi-Kenya. In principle, the thesis explores the three analytical levels of the MLP and analyses the interplay of these levels in the context of Kenya. The findings of this study suggest that, although climate change is the dominant factor in EV transition in developed countries, high cost of crude oil is the dominant landscape factor in the case of Kenya. It describes also, the regime actors and highlights on Kenya’s EV niche actors, namely Nopea Ride and Opibus. The thesis goes further to craft or propose an MLP which fits into Kenya’s EV transition.