Electric buses and matatus are moving from pilots to fleets in Kenya. For an operator, the questions are practical: how much energy each vehicle needs, what it costs per kilometre against diesel, and how big a power supply the depot needs.
Energy per bus per day
A full-size electric bus uses roughly 1.1 kWh per km. Allowing about 10% lost in charging, a bus covering 200 km a day needs about 244 kWh from the depot every day. Smaller electric matatus use less in proportion; use the manufacturer's consumption figure for your route and load.
Cost per kilometre
| Diesel bus | Electric bus, night charging | Electric bus, day charging | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy per km | 0.35 litres (example) | 1.22 kWh from the grid | 1.22 kWh from the grid |
| Price | KES 227.76 a litre | KES 15.51 per kWh | KES 25.19 per kWh |
| Energy cost per km | about KES 80 | about KES 19 | about KES 31 |
| Energy cost per day at 200 km | about KES 15,900 | about KES 3,800 | about KES 6,200 |
Diesel is at EPRA's maximum Nairobi price for 15 October to 14 November 2026; the electricity rates are the KPLC e-mobility tariff's all-in day and night rates. With night charging, one bus saves about KES 12,000 a day in energy, about KES 3.8 million a year over 312 working days. Battery leasing, maintenance and financing change the full picture, but energy is usually the largest running cost.
Charge at night
The e-mobility tariff charges about 40% less between 22:00 and 06:00, and the dedicated e-mobility connection carries no demand charge on the reviewed tariff. Most buses can charge fully overnight:
- 244 kWh over 8 night hours is an average of about 31 kW per bus.
- A depot of 10 buses therefore needs roughly 300 to 400 kW of charging and supply capacity, depending on how the charging is scheduled.
- Smart charging that staggers start times keeps the peak down, and the connection and transformer size with it.
Daytime top-up charging between peak runs costs more per kWh, but can reduce the battery size a route needs.
The power supply is the long lead item
A depot that needs several hundred kW usually needs a dedicated transformer and connection from Kenya Power. Apply early: the connection, its capacity and any upgrade works often take longer than buying the buses. Plan the depot layout with space for growth.
Where solar fits
Buses charge mostly at night, when solar is not available, so solar on the depot roof usually serves the daytime loads (workshop, offices, wash bay) and daytime top-up charging. Storing solar in batteries for overnight bus charging rarely beats the cheap night rate. See how much solar it takes to charge an EV and time-of-use load shifting.
Plan your fleet
- EV charging infrastructure covers depot design, charger types and scheduling.
- The free solar calculator includes buses in its EV charging options.
- For a fleet transition plan with charging schedules and supply sizing, request an assessment.