How Del Monte Kenya’s Electric Buses Are Changing the Game

Del Monte Kenya, a leading producer, marketer, and distributor of pineapples and other agricultural products, has taken a significant step towards sustainability by transitioning its employee transportation services to a fully electric bus fleet.

This initiative, launched three months ago, is being rolled out in phases in partnership with Metrotrans Investments and replaces traditional diesel-powered buses with modern electric vehicles (EVs).

With approximately 6,000 employees commuting daily, this move has far-reaching environmental and economic implications.

Wayne Cook, Managing Director of Del Monte Kenya, highlighted the alignment of this initiative with the company’s broader environmental goals.

“Sustainability and innovation are at the core of our operations, making the decision to switch to electric vehicles an easy one,” Cook stated.

He emphasized that the transition prioritizes employees’ well-being by providing a modern, reliable, eco-friendly, and efficient mode of transportation.

This shift underscores Del Monte Kenya’s commitment to the “green revolution” and contributes to Kenya’s national objective of decarbonizing the transport sector.

“We are reaffirming our commitment to the green revolution and supporting Kenya’s goal of reducing transport emissions,” Cook added.

“This transition is part of a broader strategy to create cleaner, greener, healthier, and safer environments for current and future generations.”

Metrotrans Investments CEO, Oscar Rosana, praised Del Monte Kenya’s leadership in sustainability, emphasizing the benefits of electric mobility in improving air quality, stimulating economic growth, and generating employment.

“The potential of electric mobility in shaping a cleaner, more sustainable future is immense,” Rosana said. “We are delighted to collaborate with a forward-thinking company like Del Monte Kenya in the global push toward lower emissions.”

Rosana also revealed ongoing discussions about establishing electric charging infrastructure to enhance EV operations.

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Both Del Monte Kenya and Metrotrans Investments aim to spearhead the adoption of green e-mobility solutions as part of Kenya’s future transport sector.

Del Monte Kenya’s adoption of electric buses aligns with broader trends across Africa, where governments and corporations are increasingly exploring electric mobility solutions.

BasiGo, an electric vehicle technology and financing company, has been at the forefront of this transition, deploying 28 electric buses—24 in Nairobi, Kenya, and 4 in Kigali, Rwanda.

These buses operate on 90% renewable energy from the Kenyan grid, each reducing carbon emissions by 50 tons annually.

Since their debut in March 2022, BasiGo’s electric buses have collectively covered two million kilometers, transporting over three million passengers while saving over 400,000 liters of diesel and cutting nearly 1,000 tons of CO2 emissions.

The Kenyan government is supporting the electric vehicle transition through incentives such as reduced taxes for EV manufacturers and buyers and the introduction of an e-mobility tariff to lower recharging costs.

Del Monte Kenya’s move to electric buses sets a new benchmark for corporate sustainability in Kenya and the wider East African region.

By reducing its carbon footprint while investing in the well-being of its workforce, the company is proving that environmental responsibility and economic growth can go hand in hand.

The planned charging infrastructure will further cement the long-term viability of electric mobility, paving the way for other organizations to follow suit.