Electric minibus-taxi to hit SA roads next year
South African commuters will be doing their bit for the environment next year when a new electric minibus-taxi hits the road.
The eKamva taxi was launched by a partnership of companies and research institutions led by GoMetro, a transport technology platform.
The project team comprised GoMetro, Powerfleet, HSW, ACDC Dynamics, and various entities within Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Engineering.
GoMetro CEO Justine Coetzee told Jacaranda FM News that they have been working on the project for more than two years, trying to find an electric vehicle with the right size and shape.
“We designed and customised the taxi to align with South African minibus-taxi standards. The eKamva is manufactured in China by Higer. It is a 6-metre-long vehicle designed to be familiar in configuration and operation for local minibus taxi fleet owners and drivers,” Coetzee added.
Despite South Africa's ongoing power struggles, the electric vehicle's advanced battery technology promises to ensure uninterrupted operation, even during possible future load shedding.
“The vehicle’s battery has enough power to charge ten homes, so we are busy developing a vehicle-to-grid connection so that it can potentially power a home during load-shedding,” Coetzee said.
According to Coetzee, eKamva is meant to prepare the country’s automotive industry for the introduction of more electric vehicles.
“By transforming to electric vehicles, the minibus taxi industry power its fuel costs and environmental impact,” he said.
Coetzee added that the taxi industry not only welcomed the electric vehicle but also gave input and will offer suggestions leading up to its launch.
ALSO READ
