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The country is looking to introduce more EVs into its public transport system As part of its plan to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs) and to curb air pollution, the Government of Rwanda will from this year not give operating permits to new petrol-powered motorcycle taxis looking to enter the market. The government will only register electric motorcycles. Minister of Infrastructure (Mininfra) Dr Jimmy Gasore recently addressed concerns in Parliament about the impact this significant move would have on the sector, in which an estimated 70,000 registered moto-taxis (motorcycle taxis) operate. According to the Mitigation Action Facility, around 30,000 of these motos are thought to be operating in Kigali with around 25,000 registered for commercial use. “As the vast majority of these vehicles are internal combustion engine motos (ICE-motos), and with Kigali’s population growth averaging more than 3.2% annually in recent years, the expected growth in the ICE-moto market poses significant environmental, economic, and social issues,” the organisation said. Concerns raised in the Rwandan Parliament over the move include the disruption of transportation for people and goods and the possible negative impact on the livelihoods of people who depend on motorcycles for work. Government of Rwanda building infrastructure for electric motorcycle taxis According to a Parliament press statement, Gasore explained that the decision was meant to cause minimal disruption. “This decision only applies to new motorcycles, those imported, or those being sold or transferred seeking to enter the transport as a profession. “Current motorcycle operators can continue working as usual and will get permits as long as their motorcycles are still in use.” Gasore also addressed concerns about the resources available to support the switch to electric motorcycles. He reassured Parliament that efforts are in place to help with the change. “We are increasing investments in electric motorcycles and the necessary equipment. We’re also improving the infrastructure for charging the motorcycles by expanding the power supply,” he said. The government said the plan balances environmental goals with the economic needs of people who depend on motorcycles for their income. Electric motorcycle taxis – known as boda bodas in some East African countries – are essential movers of people and goods across the region. Electric buses introduced in Rwanda In 2023, the Government of Rwanda said it intends to rapidly scale up the size of Kigali’s public transport fleet while also aiming to convert 20% of the public bus fleet to electric by 2030. Towards the end of 2023, Rwanda started trialling electric buses in its public transport system in the capital Kigali. A report last year from the Africa E-Mobility Alliance (AfEMA), commissioned by the Transformative Urban Mobility Initiative (TUMI) E-Bus mission, on the state of electric bus (e-bus) adoption in the continent, showed that as of early 2024 there were 19 e-buses active, mainly in Kigali, and a further 16 are planned with financing already secured. The three main companies are Basigo, Kas Auto/Go Green Transport Rwanda and Izi Electric Rwanda. |
