A new charge provider enters Uganda

• The business model is unique. Most charge providers have focused on linking their customers to publicly available chargers rather than privately owned ones.

• Uganda's EV charging space is still nascent; there are just over 30 DC fast chargers, over 150 battery swapping stations, and 5 public charging stations.

• Our take: Home charging of EVs can lower operational costs as there are no station-related charges...  Read more (2 min)

Kenya to expand local e-bus assembly

• BasiGo has partnered with Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers (KVM), an established OEM, to locally assemble e-buses. 

• The use of e-buses for public transportation has proven successful, with BasiGo selling over 30 e-buses in Kenya and receiving reservations for over 500 more from bus operators.

• Our take: Majority of Africans rely on public transport and e-buses are suited to provide fair transport charges… Read more (2 min)

Lower EV financing rates are here

• Ridewell has partnered with Powerhive, ARC Ride, and Roam to provide financing options. Their highest rate is 13% p.a. for financing a Roam Air with a double battery, while their lowest rate is 9% p.a. for financing ARC Ride’s Bidii Boda.

• Consumers and EV companies can benefit from Ridewell's low rates, available until 2027. These rates are supported by funding from the Mastercard Foundation and the Jiinue Growth Program, aimed at promoting electric mobility and improving livelihoods.

• Our take: Greater competition in the EV financing sector will pressure lenders to offer more competitive rates… Read more (2 min)

• Tracking e-mobility policies in Kenya: Kenya’s transition towards a lower-carbon economy is gaining momentum with support from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), which hosted a workshop in Nairobi in collaboration with the Ministry of Roads and Transport to advance e-mobility policies. The event highlighted the need for robust legal and regulatory frameworks for e-mobility. IFC’s legal assessment identified over 25 laws and regulations requiring amendments to align with Kenya’s draft e-mobility policy, unveiled in March 2024, which outlined seven key objectives for sector growth. (IFC)

• Volvo EX30 shines at SA’s auto awards: The Volvo EX30 has been named EV of the Year at the 2024 TopGear South Africa Awards. This recognition highlights the EX30’s exceptional value for money, advanced battery technology, impressive range, and competitive pricing, which have driven its success in the South African market with 348 units sold in the first ten months of 2024. The EX30’s growing list of accolades, including the Red Dot Award and Auto Motor & Sport’s 2024 Car of the Year, shows Volvo’s commitment to innovation and sustainable mobility. (Auto World)

• Nigeria’s progress on CNG-powered vehicles: The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi) has invested over $450 million into Nigeria's CNG value chain. Currently the initiative has already converted over 10,000 vehicles from petrol to CNG and it aims at one million conversions by 2027. The National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) has trained 4,000 technicians and launched nationwide campaigns to promote CNG adoption. Companies like Nord Automobile Ltd. are integrating CNG technologies into vehicle production, aligning with government policies. (Zawya)

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