- South Africa has launched its first electric minibus taxi, the eKamva, aiming to transform the transport sector and significantly reduce carbon emissions.
- The eKamva, developed by a consortium led by GoMetro, features a range of over 200 km and is part of a broader initiative to establish charging infrastructure nationwide.
South Africa launched its first electric minibus taxi, the eKamva, a groundbreaking development poised to revolutionise the taxi industry. The eKamva was unveiled at the Smarter Mobility Africa summit by a consortium led by GoMetro, which also introduced an integrated electric vehicle (EV) business model and charging infrastructure called flux EV.
The initiative began last year, focusing on assessing the feasibility of electric minibus taxis in South African conditions. Testing involved production vehicles operating on traditional taxi routes around Stellenbosch, facilitated by collaborating with various companies and research institutions, including Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Engineering.
Despite a temporary dip in fuel prices, South African commuters continue to feel the burden of rising transport fares, often spending up to 40% of their income on transportation. The minibus taxi sector has been particularly hard-hit by the pandemic and competition from ride-sharing apps, making the introduction of the eKamva timely.
Minibus taxis play a vital role in Southern Africa. They transport millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide daily and contribute around 30 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions in South Africa alone. They also consume two billion tonnes of fuel annually.
Research indicates that replacing urban taxi and shuttle fleets with eKamvas could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 13.7 tonnes per vehicle annually. Rudi Kriel, the project leader, noted that many taxis typically spend up to three hours at ranks during peak hours, providing ample time for fast charging.
The 15-seater eKamva boasts a range of over 200 km per charge, fast-charging in just 75 minutes with a 60 kW DC charger or slow-charging overnight in 10 hours. Its name, derived from the isiXhosa word for “the future,” reflects its innovative purpose. The eKamva is currently undergoing homologation to ensure compliance with local safety and vehicle standards.
As electric vehicles gain traction globally, particularly in the Global North, sub-Saharan Africa’s transition remains challenging. Professor Thinus Booysen from Stellenbosch University underscored the need for the informal taxi sector to evolve, highlighting the energy requirements that still need to be fulfilled due to South Africa’s reliance on coal for electricity.
Dr Bernard Bekker from Stellenbosch University’s Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies pointed out that integrating electric transport into the existing grid presents significant technical and regulatory hurdles unique to South Africa. He emphasised that real-world testing of an electric minibus taxi would provide valuable insights into navigating these challenges.