Rwandan EV startup Kabisa launches fast chargers

From the newsletter

Kabisa, a Rwandan e-mobility company, has launched its first fast electric vehicle (EV) charging station in Kanombe, a suburb of Kigali. The charging station features three 240 kW direct current (DC) fast chargers. Each charger has two charging points, providing a total of six charging bays as shown in the photo. 

• Kabisa now operates 15 public charging stations, eight of which are in Kigali, while the rest are distributed across major urban areas. Seven of these stations are located at SP petrol stations.

• The fast superchargers will reduce EV charging time by 60%. Kabisa achieved this with the support of the Rwanda Green Fund.

More details

• Kabisa, started in 2022, is focused on electric vehicle (EV) sales, maintenance, and charging infrastructure. The company’s operations offer innovative solutions to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

• The company has now introduced ultra-fast 240 kW charging stations. Initially, it deployed 7 kW and 22 kW charging stations, which were standard for slow and semi-fast charging.

• This milestone is crucial in enhancing EV adoption, particularly for fleet operators who require rapid turnaround times. The new superchargers mark a shift towards large-scale electrification, enabling faster charging for both private and commercial EVs.

• SP’s Kanombe Station is strategically located near Kigali International Airport and the Free Trade Zone, making it an ideal site for EV charging. The station serves a busy trucking route, facilitating the movement of goods between Rwanda and East Africa’s major ports.

• Currently, Rwanda has 24 public charging stations, four direct chargers for motorcycles, and 49 battery-swapping facilities. 

• Kabisa developed the ultra-fast charging station in collaboration with several key partners. The Rwanda Green Fund and the Development Bank of Rwanda provided financial and technical support to make the project viable. Meshpower and the Rwanda Energy Group (REG) contributed expertise in energy distribution and infrastructure integration.

• Rwanda’s Ministry of Infrastructure is developing a master plan to ensure that no EV travels more than 50 km without access to a charging station. A geospatial analysis has already identified 226 potential sites for charging infrastructure.

• Many of these locations are within major cities and along highways, ensuring comprehensive coverage. Existing petrol stations, commercial buildings, and high-traffic areas are being prioritised for integration.

Our take

• Fast-charging stations on busy highways attract a steady stream of EVs, ensuring high utilisation rates and a faster return on investment for operators. Investors can capitalise on this demand by developing high-capacity charging hubs with premium pricing for rapid turnaround.

• Placing chargers on key transport routes enables fleet operators to keep vehicles on the road longer, reducing downtime and increasing operational efficiency. 

• This milestone presents an opportunity for partnerships between charging infrastructure companies, energy providers, and governments to develop seamless EV charging networks.