Teketeke E-Mobility Seeks Tax Relief for Locally Assembled Electric Farm MotorcyclesTeketeke E-Mobility Seeks Tax Relief for Locally Assembled Electric Farm Motorcycles
Key Highlights
- Kenyan assembler Teketeke E-Mobility has asked for tax exemptions on locally assembled electric motorcycles and cargo tricycles used to move milk and farm produce to market.
- The firm says a rider's daily milk transport cost has fallen from KSh 1,000 ($7.70) to about KSh 200 ($1.54), a claim that has not been independently verified.
- Four units have been presented to the Ministry of Agriculture for possible distribution to farmer groups, while conversion, battery and maintenance costs have not been disclosed.
Kenyan electric vehicle assembler Teketeke E-Mobility has asked the government for tax exemptions on locally assembled electric motorcycles and cargo tricycles that farmers use to move milk and produce, arguing that cheaper transport would lift farm margins.
Managing Director Richard Chesebeh has made the case for incentives similar to those given to other farm machinery, saying they would lower purchase prices. For dairy farmers and small traders who spend heavily on moving goods to collection centres, the proposal could change the cost of getting produce to market.
What the company is asking for
Teketeke assembles electric motorcycles, cargo tricycles and lithium-ion batteries in Kenya. It also converts petrol motorcycles to electric, offering an alternative to replacing existing vehicles. Farmers use the machines to carry milk and other produce to collection centres, processors and markets.
The company says its LHP1 motorcycle carries 500 kg and runs 100 to 120 km on a charge, while the electric tricycle carries 1.5 to 2 tonnes and travels up to 150 km. Chesebeh said a rider's daily milk transport cost has dropped from KSh 1,000 ($7.70) to about KSh 200 ($1.54). That figure comes from the company and has not been independently verified.
Parliament and the ministry
John Mutunga, chairman of the National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock, cited a claimed operating cost ratio of one to five between electric and petrol vehicles, a comparison that is also unverified. Four units have been presented to the Ministry of Agriculture for possible distribution to farmer groups.
The cost of converting a motorcycle, replacing batteries and maintenance has not been disclosed, so the savings quoted cover running costs only. Buyers would need those figures to judge payback.
What it means for farmers and fuel costs
As Mwenendo earlier reported, electric motorcycles and delivery fleets are building a new market for charging and battery swaps, and depend on reliable grid connections. Rural dairy routes may not always have that.
Fuel costs are one reason the pitch is landing. Mwenendo has also reported that Brent crude reached its highest level since May, and Kenya's pump price ceilings face their next review in November. Higher petrol costs make cheaper running costs more appealing to farmers.
Any tax relief would need a decision from the Treasury and Parliament. Until then, the four units with the Ministry of Agriculture are the first test of whether farmer groups will adopt them.
In Summary
- Who is asking for tax relief?
- Teketeke E-Mobility, led by Managing Director Richard Chesebeh.
- What does it want?
- Tax exemptions on locally assembled electric motorcycles and cargo tricycles used on farms.
- When did this emerge?
- It was reported on 19 October 2026.
- Where are the vehicles used?
- On Kenyan farms, moving milk and produce to collection centres, processors and markets.
- Why does it matter?
- The firm says daily milk transport costs fell from KSh 1,000 ($7.70) to about KSh 200 ($1.54), a claim not independently verified.
- How are the vehicles being tested?
- Four units have been presented to the Ministry of Agriculture for possible distribution to farmer groups.