Monday, 15 February 2016

Uganda unveils Africa's first solar-powered bus


Ugandan Kiira Motors is launching Africa's first solar-powered bus
The 35-seater bus, known as the "Kayoola", can travel up to 50 miles straight and is powered by two batteries. One is connected to solar panels on the roof, while the other is charged electrically for longer distances and journeys at night.

Musasizi says it takes just one hour to fully charge each battery, making the vehicle suitable for "all sorts of duties in the cities", such as school buses or longer-haul journeys across borders.

Kiira Motors recently made a prototype of the bus, and ran a test drive near the national stadium in Kampala. The Kayoola debut is big news for the country, whose President Yoweri Museveni will attend the launch.

"I'm really humbled by the response to the bus so far, not only in Uganda but internationally," said Musasizi. "By launching the bus, we are saying Uganda now has the potential to add value in the world, especially within electric technology."

The bus is just the beginning of a bigger ambition Musasizi has to kickstart Uganda's solar-powered automobile industry. His vision includes every gas station in Uganda having solar pumps to charge vehicles instead of fuel.

The Kayoola solar bus prototype costs $140,000 to produce, but it would come with a significantly lower price tag of $45,000 if mass-produced.

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