In a bold move meant to curb the emission of greenhouse gases and improve air quality, Rwanda will register only electric motorbikes beginning January 2025.
The targeted phaseout of petrol powered motorbikes will mainly affect public transportation.
According to the country’s Minister for Infrastructure Jimmy Gasore, the electric motorbike market and infrastructure are mature enough in Kigali to support the transition.
The Minister told The New Times that limiting registration to electric motorcycles was part of the government’s plan in accelerating the shift towards cleaner, greener and sustainable mobility.
We will not register petrol motorbikes for public transport in Kigali. Only electric ones will be considered for commercial public transport.
Jimmy Gasore, Minister of Infrastructure, Rwanda
Some of the biggest electric transportation companies operating in Rwanda today include Ampersand.
The country plans to allow the current petrol powered motorbikes to continue operating until they wear out, hence averting any negative economic impacts during the transition.
While some petrol vehicle owners in Kenya have been retrofitting their cars with gas components, pushed by high petrol prices, in Rwanda the government spearhead a project in which petrol motorbikes were retrofitted with electric components.
Rwanda in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) embarked on a gradual phase-out of petrol-powered motorbikes in June 2021.
The government has introduced incentives by zero-rating importation of electric cars and bikes in a bid to boost e-mobility in the country.
According to The New Times, the Rwanda would save approximately Rwf9 billion annually due to reduced fuel imports. The country currently uses Rwf23 billion on fuel imports every year and this could reduce to Rwf14 billion.
Rwanda’s Climate and Nature Finance Strategy (CNFS), launched on October 17, aims to cut emissions by 38% by 2030.
