Shift EV eyes Spain expansion

October 31, 2024

From the newsletter

Egyptian EV startup Shift EV—a company converting ICE vehicles to EVs—is expanding to Spain, the gateway to Europe. The company has been expanding and partnering with sector players like Danone to convert their fleets. Since its inception in 2009, it has raised over $17.6 million to fund its operations.

  • Javier Aparicio, the head of Shift EV in Spain, says, "We are working to open an operations centre in the community of Madrid that has a stock of batteries, parts, and a workshop to carry out the transformation."

  • The company used to import lithium-ion batteries from China but now locally manufactures their own.

More details

  • Shift EV cairo office has a team of 80 engineers and the factory where the conversion. "The retrofitting or transformation of the vans is carried out in the same space as the battery factory," explains Aparicio. 

  • This integrated approach streamlines the conversion process, which involves removing the fuel tank, transmission shaft, and engine of the ICE vehicle and replacing them with electric components, all in under a day.

  • The head of Shift EV for Spain explains that, when the Madrid centre is operational, “the batteries will travel from Cairo to the port of Valencia by boat to then be loaded onto a truck that will take all the necessary parts to the centre.”

  • 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.

  • However, Shift EV is not alone in this space. Across Africa, a growing number of companies are recognizing the potential of EV conversion:

  • In Kenya, Roam and Knights Energy are electrifying safari vehicles, providing tourists with a more sustainable game drive experience.

  • In Nigeria, Revive Earth is converting petrol-powered tricycles and venturing into bus conversions through a partnership with the University of Nigeria.

  • East Africa: E-motion is retrofitting safari vehicles, tricycles, and buses, contributing to the region's EV transition.

  • In South Africa, Stellenbosch University successfully converted a 65-seater diesel bus into an electric equivalent and plans more expansion in future.

Our take

  • Converting ICE vehicles to electric holds potential but faces challenges in Africa. A shortage of skilled labour trained in EV conversion and unclear regulations could slow down the process.

  • Africa's reliance on imported used vehicles adds complexity. Converting older models to electric may not be cost-effective due to the expenses involved and potential compatibility and lifespan issues.

  • Buying new EVs might seem like the best option, but new EVs are prohibitively expensive for many Africans. Second-hand EVs are not an option either, as global EV sales haven't reached a level where used EVs are readily available, thus limiting options in Africa.

  • However, Africa cannot afford to wait for the global market to mature.  Proactive measures are needed.  Converting existing vehicles offers a more immediate solution. Additionally, limiting the age of imported vehicles can reduce the influx of older, less efficient models, creating a more favourable environment for EV conversion.