Metalgalante S.p.A.
MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company
CAF Data Centre Industry Outlook
Car Mix

twitter Facebook Linkedin acp Contact Us

‘Africa’s first solar powered bus’ launched in Uganda

The bus is run on a traction motor powered by a battery linked to the solar panel on the roof. (Image Source: Kiira Motors)

Kiira Motors has launched the Kayoola, claimed to be Africa’s first solar powered bus, in Kampala, Uganda

The bus is powered solely by electricity and solar photovoltaic (PV) rooftop panels. It does not possess an engine and can accommodate up to 35 passengers, Kiira Motors said.

According to the company, Kayoola can achieve 80 km on a single charge. The bus is powered by two batteries. One is charged electrically for longer distances and journeys at night. The other battery is charged by solar panels on the roof which increases the vehicle’s range an additional 12 km.

According to the company CEO Paul Isaac Musasizi, 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.

The electric public transport vehicle is currently marketed at US$140,000, however it is expected that this will drop to US$55,000 if mass produced.

The Ugandan government is in the process of approving the prototype for official inclusion in the public transport realm.

According to the company CEO Paul Isaac Musasizi, the idea of this design is to enable the downstream aspects of the automotive value chain to open doors for the youth.

Musasizi added that Uganda is committed to green mobility as the panacea to climate change, especially with the continent’s growing population and need for significant economic growth.

Kiira Motors hopes to attract partners to help manufacture the bus for the mass market.

African Review

Most Read

The Bell team in Richards Bay consists of more than 800 machinists, welders, and assemblers. (Image source: Bell)

GFE Power Product’s extensive range covers generators from 10 kVA up to 3,000 kVA. (Image source: GFE Power Products)

The funding is the largest-ever equity raise in the minigrid industry according to Husk. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The initiative will help African contractors participate in annual infrastructure investments. (Image source: Afreximbank)

ITS has evolved into a sophisticated systems approach, providing numerous opportunities to revolutionise road networks. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Inside Condra’s Johannesburg factory: an overhead crane positions an electric motor during assembly of hoist and crab. (Image source: Condra)

Invest International’s Lara Muller; Ivory Coast Minister of Finance and Economy, Adam Coulibaly; and Ambassador Designate to Ivory Coast, Jeroen Kelderhuis. (Image source: Invest International)

The Yellow Metal Machine Rental team with some Wacker Neuson equipment. (Image source: Wacker Neuson)

The parties will also promote the mutual exchange of information and expertise in the field of export credit policies and practices. (Image source: TBD Group)

Although displaying resilience, the report warns that African banks remain exposed to physical climate risks due to both sovereign and industry lending. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

WAA and VCMI will seek to establish regulatory frameworks to enable access to high integrity and fair voluntary carbon markets for WAA member countries. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

IVECO is renewing its entire product range, all at once. (Image source: IVECO)

The MoU was signed alongside the Africa Health Business Symposium. (Image source: Africa CDC)

Both the IMF and EIU expect SSA to rank as the world’s second fastest growing economy in 2024. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

There has been a focus on the sugar industry. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Latest news

Dietmar Siersdorfer speaking at Africa Energy Forum in Barcelona. (Image source: Siemens Energy)

The generator set fitted with a Perkins 1103 is providing vital backup power at the St Patrick School in Uganda. (Image source: Perkins)

5G technology deployment will take place later this year. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Spiro will draw from its experience in Kenya, Benin, Togo, Rwanda and Nigeria as it launched in Uganda. (Image source: Spiro)

According to IRENA, concrete policy actions and massive mobilisation of finance at full speed is required in order to meet the 2030 target. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The distributor will hold specialised training and empowerment sessions to enable its channel network to effectively deliver Vertiv’s portfolio, as well as managing inventory to serve the market. (Image source: Vertiv)

The HQ is expected to be completed and handed over by February 2025. (Image source: ECOWAS)

Africa’s share of global manufacturing only sits at around 2% today. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

There are numerous but not insurmountable challenges facing Africa's aviation sector, according to IATA. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Africa Energy Forum 2024 was held in the Fira de Montjuïc in Barcelona. (Image source: ACP)

The quality design and manufacture of SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa’s panels and enclosures can be suited to any customer requirement wall mounts. (Image source: SEW-EURODRIVE)

African countries will require over US$45bn in the coming eight years to plug the gap in its transmission systems. (Image source: Synergy Consulting)

BII commits US$75mn to second Green Basket Bond with Symbiotics Investments to finance small-scale green projects in Africa, South, and South-East Asia. (Image source:

Transforming Africa's digital economy: Data Centres powering growth, innovation, and sustainability in the digital era. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The Linnhoff TSD1500 Asphalt Mixing Plant is undertaking crucial work on two rural road projects in Kenya. (Image source: Lintec & Linnhoff)

Genset BuyersGuide
Construction Buyers Guide