France, May 11 -- For those familiar with the traffic conditions in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, the daily gridlock can leave people stranded for hours amid cars, trucks and other vehicles. Those who can't afford to drive rely on either matatus, the local minibuses, or motorbikes, known as boda boda.

The result of this is not just traffic jams but high levels of pollution - something Kenya is aiming to change with a budding renewable energy drive.

Several innovative companies such as eWaka and Roam Electric illustrate the boom in electric vehicle (EV) production.

With Kenya's electricity coming mostly from geothermal or hydro-electric power and from renewable energy (wind and solar), these companies hope to promote the end of oil dependen...