Fuel-to-electric conversion thrives in the margins

October 21, 2024

From the newsletter

African public attention is primarily focused on the sale of new EVs. But the long-established if less flashy business of converting petrol guzzlers to sustainable propulsion continues to find clients. 

  • Stellenbosch University announced the success of a conversion of a 65-seater diesel bus into an electric equivalent. 

  • The university suggested: “The project marks a significant step forward in respect of South Africa's transition to sustainable transport.

More details

  • Earlier this year, the Egyptian government approved Shift EV to convert 100,000 fuel-powered vehicles to electric power over the next five years. This initiative will focus on converting 80,000 pickup cargo trucks and 20,000 minivans.

  • Egyptian-based EV company BluEV converts ICE motorcycles to electric motorcycles.

  • In Kenya, Roam and Knights Energy are giving ICE vehicles a new life by changing their power drives and electrifying the game drive experience for tourists. 

  • Nigeria-based company Revive Earth is converting petrol-powered tricycles. The company is slowly venturing into bus conversions after partnering with the University of Nigeria.

  • E-motion is escalating East Africa’s EV transition by retrofitting safari vehicles, tricycles and buses. 

Our take

  • New vehicle sales in Africa are very low. Most African countries import less than 10,000 new cars per year. Almost all vehicles on the road were first driven outside the continent before being imported as second-hand cars. 

  • That economic dynamic is deeply ingrained and won’t change at short notice. Until there are plenty of second-hand EVs to be imported from Europe and Asia, fuel cars will continue to be the only affordable option for many buyers. If they want to go electric, conversion is a serious option. For the time being.

  • Conversion can be a driver of employment in Africa. All conversion work is done locally and can be labour-intensive. Governments would have good reason to support conversion schemes if generating employment is part of their mandate. And which leader in Africa isn’t trying to come up with more jobs…?