Uganda launches first electric commuter taxi

Uganda launches first electric commuter taxi
Freedom EV MD Ratan Tayal says they will bring units bigger than the 10-seater if that’s what the market demands.

Kampala, Uganda | By Michael Wandati | Uganda has introduced its first all-electric commuter taxi, thanks to a partnership between Freedom EV Electrical SMC Ltd and the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).

The vehicle, produced by Dongfeng Automobile Company (DFAC) in China, can travel between 250 to 300 kilometers on a single charge, costing just 40,000 Shillings. This makes it more economical than traditional diesel and petrol-powered vans.

Priced at 120 million Shillings, the van comes with a three-year or 100,000-kilometer warranty, which includes free services during the warranty period.

Ratan Tayal, Managing Director of Freedom EV in Kampala, highlighted that the cost is relatively low compared to the common 14-seater minibuses, which are priced at 80 million Shillings.

Tayal acknowledged that Uganda’s public transport sector generally prefers 14-seaters and larger vehicles but noted that the 10-seat model is the standard in their initial markets in China and Nepal. He reassured that 14-seater and 28-seater buses will soon be available in Uganda, with seat adjustments made to better accommodate Ugandan passengers.

Tayal also urged the government to strengthen its collaboration with private sector dealers in electric vehicles to make these environmentally friendly options more affordable and accessible to Ugandans, as the current prices remain out of reach for many.

“If the government can subsidise the coat of electricity and also make the acquisition of electric vehicles easier because this would make the road to energy transition easier,” Tayal said.

Jafari Abuyi, Marketing Manager at Freedom EV Electrical SMC Ltd, noted that the vehicles are more affordable than they would be without government support for renewable energy innovations.

He explained that the government has, for instance, waived import duties on all-electric vehicles, helping to lower the costs.

The new electric taxis will initially operate from the Bwaise KALOCEN Terminal (Bwaise Taxi Park), where Freedom EV Electrical SMC Ltd is also headquartered, and will serve routes along the Entebbe Expressway.

Col. Frederick Makanga Bogere, Managing Director of KALOCEN Investments, explained that their decision to partner on the EV taxi project was driven by a commitment to leading the way in environmental protection and energy transition within the passenger transport sector.

Col. Bogere emphasized that, sooner or later, everyone will need to adopt electric vehicles as the world shifts towards green energy and sustainability.

“We are so used to the liquid fuels that it will take time for Ugandans to embrace the greed mobility, so this calls for government sensitisation of the public on this transitional development,” he said.

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Sam Serugunda, a taxi operator at the Bweyogerere stage in Bwaise Park, believes that the cost of the electric minibus is reasonable, especially when compared to the 80 million Shillings spent on purchasing used Toyota buses, which require continuous fueling, servicing, and frequent part replacements.

He adds that the lower maintenance costs of the electric vehicles should eliminate the need to keep transport fares high.

“When I go to Luwero, I use 120,000 shillings on fuel, but with the electric car, I will only 20,000 shillings to charge the battery. So why can’t I charge the passenger 3,000 shillings?,” he said.

To make the purchase more accessible, the company is collaborating with banks to offer installment plans, allowing buyers to secure a unit with an initial deposit as low as 25 million Shillings.