How to space EV charging stations?

• Rwanda's charging infrastructure is underdeveloped. It currently has 24 public charging stations, four direct current chargers for motorcycles, and 49 stations combining chargers and battery-swapping facilities.

• A preliminary analysis has identified over 226 potential sites for EV charging infrastructure as the government plans to roll out its EV charging master plan.

• Our take: There's no one-size-fits-all solution when determining the ideal distance between EV charging stations... Read more (2 min)

Moove expands outside Africa

• The countries include Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and India.

• In March 2024, the company received $100 million in Series B funding from Uber, Future Africa, Dubai-based The Latest Ventures, AfricInvest, Palm Drive Capital, and Triatlum Advisors. Since its inception in 2020, the company has raised over $444 million.

• Our take: Expanding to mature markets helps spread investment risks... Read more (2 min)

Find upcoming EV events in Africa

• Two significant events await e-mobility industry stakeholders as we approach the end of the year. Both starting tomorrow, the Lagos Transport Fest in Nigeria and the UITP & MENA Conference in Morocco will bring together African industry insiders to discuss and showcase the evolution of EVs across the continent.

• We have expanded our list to 13 confirmed events scheduled to take place over the next twelve months. Links to these events are included to help you plan ahead. If you would like us to feature an event, simply reply to this email.

• Our take: When people connect and share, they get to learn from each other... Read more (2 min)

• EV transition: Africa is slow in adopting hybrid and electric vehicles despite global advancements in automotive technology. Global EV registrations reached 14 million in 2023, but Africa accounts for only 1% of EV usage. Challenges such as inadequate charging infrastructure, high battery costs, limited availability of spare parts and a lack of trained mechanics contribute to this hesitancy. Despite these obstacles, opportunities exist for Africa to leverage its rich mineral resources like lithium and cobalt to manufacture EV batteries. (Newsday)

• SA launches EV initiative: The National Electric Vehicle Initiative seeks to accelerate EV adoption, reduce carbon emissions, and position the country as a leader in electric mobility in Africa. The initiative includes substantial investments in EV infrastructure, tax rebates, and subsidies, aiming to achieve a 30% reduction in transport sector emissions by 2035. Despite the high cost of EVs and the need for power grid upgrades, the government plans to collaborate with industry stakeholders to address these issues. (Union Journal)

• Bicycle conversions: Karaa Solutions, a Kampala-based startup led by CEO Geofrey Mutabazi, will showcase its innovative solar-charged electric bicycle conversion kit at COMEUP 2024, a global startup festival. The kit can transform conventional bicycles into electric-powered vehicles in under 10 minutes, enabling speeds of 32 km/h and a range of 120 kilometres. Karaa aims to expand its impact by targeting East, West, and Southern Africa and collaborating with local partners to establish micro-assembly hubs. (Interesting Engineering)

________________________________________