In a move towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation system, Ghana has announced plans to use electric vehicles for public transport. This initiative was revealed by the Vice President of Ghana, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, during a visit to SolarTaxi, a wholly owned Ghanaian assembler of electric vehicles.
SolarTaxi is the third largest electric vehicle assembler in Africa and manufactures motorcycles, cars, and buses. During his visit, Dr. Bawumia took a ride in one of the company's buses, which can travel from Accra to Kumasi without the need for a recharge of the batteries. This demonstrates the long-range capabilities of electric vehicles and their potential to replace traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.
In addition to manufacturing new electric vehicles, SolarTaxi is also able to convert existing internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles. This could be a cost-effective and efficient way to transition to electric vehicles, as it eliminates the need for the purchase of new vehicles.
The use of electric vehicles for public transport in Ghana is expected to have numerous benefits, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved air quality, and lower operating costs. Electric vehicles are powered by electricity, which is generally cheaper than gasoline, and they require less maintenance than traditional vehicles.
Ghana is not the only country exploring the use of electric vehicles for public transport. Many countries around the world, including China, India, and the United States, are also investing in electric vehicles as a way to reduce their carbon footprint and improve air quality.