Ugandan company Kiira Motors has embarked on a remarkable journey with its electric bus, the Kayoola E-Coach 13M Model, as part of their ‘Made in Uganda Grand Trans-Africa Electric Expedition.’ This ambitious project aims to showcase the potential for electric mobility across Africa. The 30-day tour covers six countries and spans over 13,000 kilometers.
The expedition began a few days ago and has already covered 1,897 kilometers, marking 14.59% of the total journey. This distance includes driving through Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, Eswatini, and South Africa. The bus is currently in Mbeya, Tanzania, with more than half of the trip still to be completed.
The Kayoola E-Coach 13M Model is a premium inter-city electric bus designed for high-floor transportation needs. It boasts impressive specifications such as a maximum power output of 400 kW and a torque of 5,000 Nm, making it capable of seating up to 64 passengers comfortably. The battery capacity stands at 422 kWh, providing a driving range of 500 kilometers per charge.
One of the key highlights of this expedition is its environmental impact. So far, the electric bus has avoided emitting 907.5 kg of CO₂ and consumed approximately 1,650 kWh of energy. The average energy consumption rate stands at about 0.87 kWh/km, demonstrating the efficiency of electric vehicles in long-distance travel.
Throughout their journey, Kiira Motors has been sharing regular updates on LinkedIn to keep followers informed about the progress and challenges faced during this expedition. This transparency not only builds trust but also educates people about the feasibility and benefits of electric mobility solutions across Africa.
The safety record remains impeccable with zero incidents reported so far, highlighting the reliability and robustness of Kiira Motors’ technology. As the journey continues through diverse terrains and climates, it will provide valuable insights into how electric vehicles can be integrated into various transportation systems in different African countries.
