GGGI Rwanda’s DeFreese on how Africa can transition to electric buses

With an increasing push to transition from diesel to renewables, countries across Africa are now piloting clean transport solutions. In Rwanda, the government is planning to pilot the use of electric buses, while in Uganda, Kiira Motors wants to manufacture solar-powered buses. The transition to electric buses on the continent poses both challenges and opportunities as discussed in a recent interview on CNBC Africa with Michelle DeFreese, Project Manager for Sustainable Mobility at Global Green Growth Institute Rwanda. DeFreese pointed out that the energy requirement for electric buses in Kigali, Rwanda, is quite high, especially considering the hilly terrain. This necessitates training policy makers and technicians to use energy modeling systems to determine the best models for the specific bus lines in the city. She emphasized the importance of understanding the unique context of each African country to customize findings and reports accordingly. Buses are a key mode of public transport across the continent, and transitioning to electric buses is crucial in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change. While the adoption of electric buses is expected to increase as costs decrease, operators face challenges due to the initial high capital expenditure. DeFreese highlighted the importance of considering environmental and public health benefits beyond just affordability when evaluating the transition to electric buses. The transition to electric buses poses challenges in terms of infrastructure development and financing. Infrastructure for electric buses is currently underdeveloped in many African cities, requiring investments in charging infrastructure and capacity building. Different models of financing, such as large-scale procurement to negotiate favorable terms with suppliers, have been successful in other parts of the world and could be adapted in Africa to overcome financial barriers. DeFreese stressed the importance of understanding the long-term investment value of electric buses, considering both capital expenditure and operational costs over a 10-year period. Electric buses can be competitive in price when accounting for operations and maintenance, especially in cities with surplus electricity supply. Once the initial financial hurdle is crossed, the benefits of lower operational costs become apparent. Overall, the transition to electric buses in Africa presents a mix of challenges and opportunities. While affordability and infrastructure development remain key obstacles, the environmental and public health benefits of electric buses underscore the importance of accelerating this transition. As awareness of air pollution impacts grows, there is a pressing need for innovative financing mechanisms and strategic planning to drive the adoption of electric buses across the continent.