Kenya has taken a bold leap into the future of sustainable transport with the unveiling of a new locally manufactured electric off-road vehicle, developed by EV Explorers.
The car made history this week as the first zero-emissions entry in the gruelling Rhino Charge — an annual 4×4 endurance event that tests vehicles against some of the most rugged terrain in the country.
EV Explorers’ debut is being hailed as a significant breakthrough in both automotive innovation and climate-conscious engineering, challenging long-held assumptions about electric vehicles and off-road performance.
“This is more than just a race car. It’s a statement about the future of mobility in Africa. We want to show that electric mobility and environmental conservation can go hand in hand,” team leader Richard Kiplagat said during the launch, as quoted by a local media station.
In a statement posted on the Rhino Charge website, the team said their mission is to prove electric vehicles can not only survive but thrive in the harshest environments.
“EV Explorers aim to redefine what’s possible in off-road racing while bringing attention to the role of electric mobility in conservation and sustainability,” they said.
Vehicle design
The vehicle features a rugged, angular frame finished in a striking red, green, and white colour scheme reminiscent of the Kenyan flag.
With oversized off-road tires, reinforced suspension, and a steel roll cage, the car showcases serious terrain capability.
Two large circular LED headlights dominate the front, giving it a quirky yet purposeful expression.
The front panel is marked ‘E.V. EXPLORER’ in block lettering and is sharply contoured, framed by protruding suspension arms and a bright red front bumper equipped with a winch hook.
Side panels are visibly riveted sheet metal painted green, and the windows appear to be made of lightweight plastic, enhancing its raw, utilitarian character.
Inside, bucket-style racing seats and a stripped-down cabin signal a build focused on function over form.
Mixed reactions online
The vehicle’s unveiling sparked a flurry of reactions online, with netizens offering a mix of praise, amusement, and skepticism towards its rugged, no-frills design, prompting lively discussions on social media platforms.
“I’m going to be honest, that is exactly what I expected a car designed and built in Kenya to look like,” one user wrote on X. “But if it’s electric, why does it look like it has a standard 4WD front axle?”
Another joked that the car resembled an RC toy, “Plastic windows — so innovative. Looks like a remote control toy car!”
On Instagram, critiques continued, with one user questioning the choice of colour for the vehicle.
“Did you really have to paint it in Kenyan flag colours?” @bilal_ibrahim wrote.
Another user pointed out the design’s absence of side mirrors, stating,
“It doesn’t even have side mirrors; the design looks like a handcart,” @lilsosho wrote.
Despite the criticism, a user defended the innovation, emphasising the importance of appreciation and the need for time to perfect the model.
“It might not be perfect yet, but every journey begins with a single step. With time, innovation, and persistence, we’ll refine our craft and one day compete with global brands like Audi and Jeep,” @gear.n.junkie commented.