On Friday, vehicle manufacturer in Uganda and championing green mobility in Africa; Kiira Motors, unveiled two prototypes of the electric-powered buses; the Kayoola EVS bus. H.E President Yoweri Museveni says that the establishment of the Kiira Vehicle Plant will bolster import substitution and technology transfer.
This isn’t the first electric automotive from the company as it is the fourth in its production after the Kiira EVS; the first hybrid car designed and built in Africa, Kiira EV, and the Kayoola Solar-powered Bus.
Kiira Motors says the Kayoola EVS electric bus are designed to provide select shutter services, including; Airport Pickup and Drops.
The company claims it is taking orders and immediate need ought to be addressed by the company and the UPDF’s Luwero industries LTD in Nakasongola to produce eight (8) buses per month before they shift to the Kiira Vehicles Plant when it is completed at the Jinja Industrial and Business park mid next year.
The Kayoola EVS electric-powered bus is a 90 total passenger carrier with 49 seating and 41 standing. It comes with installed CCTV cameras in and outside the bus for security purposes. In addition, comes with on-board Wi-Fi connectivity, a battery is up to 3,000 charge cycles (900,000kms) compared to 200,000km for diesel engines.
Looking at the make, the floor of the buses are made out of bamboo while the interior is mainly made out of plastics & aluminum, and body (exterior) panels supported by a steel superstructure. All these locally-made and available materials providing an unprecedented opportunity for participation of a wide range of local manufacturers making components to feed the production line which will address key aspects of the local content supply chain, create jobs, and ensure import substitution.
The Kayoola buses have far much lower operating costs in comparison to the diesel combustion engine buses with an operating cost per km of UGX320 while a diesel bus equivalent costs UGX1,670 for the same distance . This also means that the electric buses are more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.
Kiira Motors is operated under the Ministry of Science Technology and Innovation led by Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye, who together with KMC Executive Chairman Prof. Sandy Stevens Tickodri-Togboa have called upon both government and the private sector to purchase locally made vehicles to promote the country’s nascent automotive industry .
Both the Ministry and KMC leadership expressed gratitude to President Museveni for his continued support to the Science, Technology and Innovation sector as a leading driver for economic growth and national development.
