AGA KHAN HOSPITAL, KISUMU PAVES THE WAY TO GREEN MOBILITY

Kisumu, Kenya, 09 September 2023: THE AGA KHAN HOSPITAL, KISUMU PAVES THE WAY TO GREEN MOBILITY

JAC T8 EV 100 – The Electric Vehicle (EV) acquired by AKHK in the journey to net zero carbon emissions.

The Aga Khan Hospital, Kisumu cluster (AKHK), an institution of the Aga Khan Health Services (AKHS), Kenya received the first electric vehicle August 30, 2023. This is in line with its commitments of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2030. This prestigious milestone was made possible through the funding from the Aga Khan Development Grant.

As reported by ECTA Kenya Ltd, the supplier of this vehicle, this is the first electric vehicle in the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) and North Rift Kenya.

Since 2019, AKHS has been committed to decarbonizing its operations. In 2020, it developed a carbon management tool tailored for Low-and Middle-Income countries. Later, in 2021, this tool was tested and endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Using this tool, AKHK was able to collect baseline data, upon which it formulated a road map with the goal of achieving Net Zero carbon emissions by 2030, beginning with a strategic 5-year plan.

The baseline data on carbon emissions in 2021, revealed that transportation emerged as a significant hotspot for carbon emissions, accounting for 17% of scope 1 emissions. This emission was primarily due to the movement of staff, pharmaceuticals and healthcare consumables between the main hospital, and Its outreach medical centres. In response to this challenge, the institution initially targeted the low-hanging fruit, implementing measures such as carpooling and promoting virtual meetings. By the end of 2022, these efforts had reduced transportation emissions by 25%. To continue working toward its target, AKHK shifted the focus to revolutionizing its fleet by transitioning to electric vehicles, making it one of the key priorities in the decarbonization journey.

The Aga Khan Hospital, Kisumu provides its services in a hub and spoke model. This is in line with AKHK mission to provide expanded access to quality healthcare to the community within the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) and beyond.  Currently AKHK has presence in 12 out of the 14 counties of the LREB and has an ambitious plan to establish 8 more centres as per OHC strategic plan by 2026. This vehicle will play a crucial role in accessing the outreach centres.

The dream of acquiring an electric vehicle meant that AKHK had to consider key factors related to its maintenance and management, including the need for a reliable charging infrastructure. After conducting several investigations and consulting with different suppliers, AKHK settled on importing a brand new JAC T8-EV, a 100% electric car.

The JAC T8-EV is a double-cabin electric vehicle with a 330 km range on a full charge and a 65.3 kWh battery capacity.

Cost-benefit analysis of EV consumption and maintenance

Assume a fully charged EV which covers 330 Km at a fully charged battery of 65.3 KWh and 1 KWh cost 25Kes; and a diesel vehicle is to travel 330 Km, with an average fuel consumption on a diesel engine of 10L/km, with 1l costing 179 Kes currently. The cost-benefit analysis will be as below: Electric vehicle (EV) Vehicle range: 330 Km Battery capacity: 65.3 Khw Cost of 1 Khw: 25Kes Total cost to fully charge the EV: 65.3Khw X 25 = 1625 Kes To cover 330 Km cost 1625 Kes Electricity carbon emission factor: 0.1076 KgCO2e/Khw Total carbon emission on EV: 0.1076 X 65.3 = 7.02628 Kg CO2e Diesel vehicle Total distance to cover:330Km. Cost of diesel/L: 179 Kes Average fuel consumption on a diesel engine: 10L/Km Diesel consumed: 330 Km/10L/Km =33 L Cost of diesel: 33 X 179 = 5907 KES ————————————————————————————– To cover 330 km on diesel engine cost 5907 Kes Diesel carbon emission factor: 2.7586 KgCO2e/L Total Carbon emission on diesel: 2.7586 X 33 = 91.0338 Kg CO2e  ————————————————————————————-  Cost Saving when using EV versus diesel: 5907 – 1625 = 4282 Kes, this can be up to 72.40% cost reduction Carbon emission avoided: 91.0338 – 7.02628 = 84.00752 Kg CO2e, this is up to 92.26% emissions avoided It is expected that over a 1-year period, the cost of maintenance is less for EV compared to diesel or petrol engines. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Given that Kenya has a low-carbon emission factor from electricity of 0.1076 Kg CO₂e/ Khw according to the International Energy Agency, IEA, it is expected that the electric vehicle is expected to reduce transport-related carbon emissions. Furthermore, it is highly likely to generate cost savings in several areas, including:

• Fuel costs
• Maintenance costs, including savings in engine oil.
• Reduced service interruption due to breakdowns
• Reduced localised air pollution.

EVs can be charged wherever there is a power supply. As such they are also less vulnerable to fuel supply chain risks, which sometimes happen.

The use of the newly acquired JAC Electric Vehicle is going to play a pivotal role in providing actual data to make informed decision on subsequent investment in green mobility.

In addition to the electric vehicle, AKHK is actively pursuing its Net Zero carbon emissions by 2030 goal through various initiatives and investments, including: Solar energy integration, energy-efficient HVAC systems with low-carbon refrigerants, waste reduction strategies, transitioning to eco-friendly anaesthetic gases and inhalers, Rainwater harvesting, adoption of energy-efficient LED lighting, implementation of green building designs, promotion of green procurement practices, carpooling initiatives, composting, tree planting efforts, establishment of clear sustainability guidelines and practices in the workplace, and raising awareness, among others.