Launched at the Smarter Mobility Africa Summit, the first all-electric minibus taxi — the eKamva — has touched down on South African shores.
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In a bid to electrify the public-transport industry, transport technology platform GoMetro, in partnership with several companies and research institutions, has launched the eKamva, South Africa’s first all-electric minibus taxi, at the 2024 Smarter Mobility Africa Summit.
Said Justin Coetzee, CEO of GoMetro, “This is a new approach to electrifying the smaller-vehicle public transport industry. We believe it will spark an entirely new economic sector and is socio-economically very important for the automotive sector.” Coetzee added, “We view the eKamva as an extension of our drive towards decarbonisation.”
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Added Mario Maio, Founder and CEO of ACDC Dynamics, “The minibus taxi has long been a cornerstone of South Africa’s public transport system, reliably moving millions of people — from families to daily commuters— every day. As the demand for sustainability grows, it is clear that the transportation industry must evolve.”
“At ACDC Dynamics, we are proud to play a pivotal role in this transformation by providing EV charging solutions and sustainable energy products. By integrating electric-powered taxis and expanding charging networks, we are not only reducing the carbon footprint of this essential industry but also helping to create a greener, more responsible South Africa for future generations, Maio said.
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The company claims the emissions-free, 15-seater minibus has a claimed electric range of 200 km. In addition, the firm says, when plugged into a 60 kW DC fast charger, the eKamva’s battery pack is replenished “within” 75 minutes, with an overnight recharge (through an AC unit) taking 10 hours.
Alongside the eKamva, the companies also launched an integrated new EV business model and charging infrastructure product called flx EV, the latter of which will use GoMetro’s fleet orchestration platform, Bridge, to manage date from the vehicles in service, charger networks, power purchasing, payment systems, battery management and predictive maintenance.
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