Kenya Is Moving From Petrol, Diesel To Gas-Powered Vehicles: Conversion Costs, Features

• Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) announced a reduction in pump prices for April 2024
• However, industry experts warned that the weakening shilling and increase in global prices could push the margins higher, reversing the gains Kenya has made
• Most players recommended the use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)-fuel-powered engines as an alternative to offset the rising petrol and diesel prices
• Petroleum Outlets Association of Kenya (POA) chair Martin Chomba explained in an interview with TUKO.co.ke that autogas is the next frontier in the transport sector

TUKO.co.ke journalist Wycliffe Musalia brings over five years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

In October 2021, when the Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI) gave a green light for motorists to install autogas, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)-powered engine vehicles hit the streets of Nairobi.

TUKO.co.ke crew boarded an autogas-propelled taxi cab, which, according to the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA), is the common fuel alternative for taxi operators.

Why are Kenyan taxi drivers installing autogas?

Nicholas Waweru, the taxi driver, explained that the advantage of LPG-propelled engine vehicles is their low operation/fuel cost.

"Gas-powered vehicles are cheaper than petrol ones. You can cover a 40-kilometre distance per unit of gas with this alto-engine car. If you fill the gas tank, it can go up to 900km," said Waweru.

However, Waweru noted that if gas prices increase, it also becomes a challenge to fuel, just like petrol cars.

"LPG dispensing stations for autogas cars are not available in other towns. The mode of fuel is also not good for long distances but good for town service, just like electric vehicles. The vehicle will consume much gas if you travel to longer distances, hilly roads and increase your fuel costs," he said.

Is autogas allowed in Kenya?

Speaking exclusively to TUKO.co.ke, EPRA director general Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria confirmed that there are only 12 licensed autogas dispensing stations in the country.

Kiptoo revealed that autogas was first piloted in Kenya in 2018, and EPRA has since, in collaboration with the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), licensed one company for vehicle conversion, with three others awaiting approval.

"The autogas industry is projected to grow at a fast pace, going by the current heightened interest by both vehicle owners and investors in conversion and autogas dispensing stations. EPRA, in conjunction with KEBS, NTSA and other industry stakeholders, have developed standards for vehicle conversion as well as autogas dispensing stations in order to ensure the safety of the process."

"EPRA is also in the process of reviewing the Petroleum (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) Regulations of 2019 to include the approval process for Autogas dispensing stations. We will continue sensitising stakeholders on the requirements and approval process for PLG-powered vehicles," said Kiptoo.

According to Petroleum Outlets Association of Kenya (POAK) chair Martin Chomba, the country's transport sector focus shifted to LPG-powered vehicles as the next frontier in fuel.

Chomba explained that the world is headed toward cleaner fuel, and autogas happens to be one of them.

"Leading countries in the world, like Turkey, South Korea, and Australia have already connected over 3.2 million vehicles, among others. These are global trends that Kenya as a country is keeping in touch with.

"There’s going to be an explosion of autogas that will propel the LPG push as a source of energy even as the government pushes to increase per capita consumption from the current around 7kg per household to about 15kg by 2028," said Chomba in an exclusive interview with TUKO.coke.

How many vehicles in Kenya are LPG-powered?

Chomba said there are over 20,000 vehicles that have undergone professionally acceptable conversions to autogas as a mode of propulsion.

He noted that the short-term goal is to push this number to 100,000 vehicles, adding that the opportunities in autogas and LPG are enormous.

In terms of affordability, Chomba said autogas is significantly cheaper than petrol fuel.

"With the available transmission kits in the country, it is becoming tenable for motorists to install LPG and still maintain their petrol tanks," he said.

What is the cost of installing autogas?

The petroleum sector expert revealed that installing autogas depends on the brand and the type of vehicle.

He estimated the price to range from KSh 50,000 to KSh 200,000, adding that the prices could reduce as more investors take note of the sector.

"The prices of LPG kits for motor vehicle engine propulsion depend on the brand and the vehicle in which they fit. The kit will not be beyond KSh 200,000 but will range from a minimum of KSh 50,000."

"We are in the process of vetting the companies that will be installing autogas or LPG kits, and those qualified will be listed," he noted.

Is autogas viable for motorcycles?

Chomba added that autogas is most viable for motor vehicles because of space.

"If a vehicle was not originally designed for the installation of autogas, then the tank space for fuel competes with the installation of the gas. Motorcycles may not have enough space for the installation of autogas storage," he explained.

He noted that motor vehicles have an advantage since some use the trank while others use the boot to store LPG tanks.

In related news, TUKO.co.ke reported that a boda boda operator in Laikipia connected his motorcycle with Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) to curb the rising cost of fuel.

The motorcycle operator cited the rising cost of fuel, after EPRA announced and increase in petrol prices.

He stunned many people, sparking debate among industry stakeholders about the safety of the conversion and storage.

What to know about petrol prices

• Prices of petroleum products have been increasing globally, as crude oil and Brent prices rose to $86.3 (KSh 11,237) and 90.5 (KSh 11,784), respectively, in April 2024.
• Experts warned that with the current upsurge in global fuel prices, weak shilling could reverse the gains Kenya has made.
• In April 2024, EPRA announced a decrease of KSh 5.31 per litre of super petrol, KSh 10 per litre of diesel and KSh 18.68 per litre of kerosene.