In Kenya, public transport is going electric

Public buses in Kenya are an institution. They are called Matatu. They are very colorful, are part of the folklore of the capital. But Matatu are also very noisy and polluting. The Opibus company now offers electric Matatu. The first of them left the workshop a few days ago for a test ride. “It’s a big step today because we’ve been working on this project for a long time. I’m very happyacknowledges engineer Béatrice Wanjiru. This bus has the potential to revolutionize public transport in Kenya but also in Africa in general. A vehicle that is easy to maintain and inexpensive to drive, that will make the difference.”

These buses have a range of 120 km. It takes five to six hours to recharge. In a few years, this could change the face of Nairobi. Because the bus is the main means of transport for Kenyans. There are more than 12,000 in the capital, which is one of the most polluted in the world. These electric Matatu could not only improve the air quality but also the noise pollution which is hardly bearable in the city center.

Besides the environmental aspect, there is the economic benefit as diesel prices skyrocket. Félix Eningsjö, one of Opibus’ executives, explains that “The initial cost for an electric bus is $100,000. But then you reduce the operational cost by 60% compared to a classic Matatu. This will necessarily be reflected in the transport prices for users. At the beginning, we We are going to transform traditional buses into electric buses. But then we will develop and create buses here, 100% Kenyan.” Ten Matatu will be operational by July. The company plans mass production for the year 2023.

There are already a few electric motorcycle taxis and even electric safari cars. And that’s just the beginning. Kenya’s tourism minister has said that by 2030 tourist vehicles in national parks will all have to be electric. And that makes sense since Kenya is electricity self-sufficient with 90% green energy.