Morocco to buy 3000 e-buses ahead of 2030 World Cup

From the newsletter

Morocco is seeking to buy 7,000 buses ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Club which it will host. The country has already issued a tender to buy 1,317 buses, out of which 30 are electric. Morocco’s Minister for Industry and Trade has pledged that at least half of the remaining 6,000 buses will be electric.   

• The buses will be used for public transport. This is in preparation for the World Cup which the country will host in 5 years and which will attract millions of visitors from across the world. 

• The North African country is working on investments to produce 400 kW urban electric buses that “today can be purchased between $180,000 and $200,000”. 

More details

• Morocco is expecting thousands of visitors in December 2025 when it hosts the biennial African Cup of Nations (AFCON) football tournament. Morocco will also host the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which will attract millions of visitors. These events are expected to strain the country’s existing public transport infrastructure.

• The North African country mainly imports its e-buses. There are currently dozens of e-buses operating in the country and are mainly used by cities for public transport. In 2020, Turkish automaker Karsan delivered 25 Atak e-buses to Morocco. In 2023, 15 Chinese-made e-buses were delivered to the city of Marrakech.

• However, the country is seeking to join an elite group of only 6 countries worldwide with complete electric vehicle manufacturing capabilities, from raw material processing to final assembly. By 2026, the country aims to make all the elements of an electric battery including the anode, the separator, the electrolyte, the cell, the module, and the car.

• This end-to-end production chain, encompassing everything from mining phosphate and cobalt to manufacturing battery components and assembling vehicles, positions Morocco as the only country in the Euro-African region with such comprehensive capabilities.

• The Kingdom, which has a population of more than 37 million, views public transportation as a key cog in its electric mobility transition, especially in major cities such as Rabat, Marrakech and Casablanca.

• Ifrane, another city of more than 80,000 residents nestled in the Atlas Mountains, is aiming to become the first municipality in the country to transition fully to electric public transportation. In the plan, the city will provide subsidised electric vehicles to the city’s population.

• The Morocco bus market size is expected to reach $253.55 million by 2032, according to a recent study by Polaris Market Research. This growth will be mainly driven by tourism. Morocco is a leading tourist destination in Africa. 

Our take

• Morocco's ambitious e-buses plan demonstrates its commitment to clean mobility. This initiative aligns with its goal to host major events like AFCON and the FIFA World Cup, showcasing its readiness to handle increased transportation demands sustainably.

• By aiming to produce all components of electric batteries domestically by 2026, Morocco is positioning itself as a leader in the EV industry within the region. This end-to-end production capability will significantly enhance its self-reliance.

• The projected growth of the Morocco bus market, driven by tourism, underscores the importance of reliable and clean public transportation. As a leading tourist destination, Morocco's investment in e-buses will not only benefit its residents but also enhance the experience for millions of visitors.