RWANDA—IZI Rwanda, a mobility solutions platform, has delivered five electric buses to Kigali. These will be trialled in the fleets of Kigali Bus Services (KBS) and other local operators.
This is in a pilot project to electrify public transport in Kigali at a fraction of previous cost estimates.
Kigali’s population has grown 50% since 2013, while operational buses have decreased significantly. This decline is largely attributed to rising diesel costs and capped ticket prices, which often drive a requirement for 80% occupancy just to cover fuel costs.
As Public Transport Operators (PTOs) fleets have shrunk, some commuters often endure waits of up to two hours, impacting their quality of life and productivity. Additionally, vehicle emissions account for 13% of Rwanda’s greenhouse gas emissions, necessitating an urgent shift to clean transport.
The Government of Rwanda has implemented numerous progressive policy initiatives to electrify public transport. Still, PTOs have been wary of purchasing electric vehicles because of the high initial capex, unknown resale value, and absence of local maintenance facilities.
In response, IZI has launched its e-mobility-as-a-service model to overcome these challenges and provide a frictionless way to migrate bus fleets of all sizes to electric.
For a low per-kilometre fee, bus operators can enjoy IZI’s innovative ‘Pay As You Go’ service. They are provided access to a fully electric vehicle, the required charging infrastructure, full vehicle servicing, and training.
In short, without any upfront cost, transport providers can realise an average of 40% savings on operational expenses, transforming their profitability and allowing them to meet the needs of a rapidly growing urban population.
A key enabler of IZI’s low-cost solution is a proprietary platform that significantly extends the life of EV batteries, thus lowering overall vehicle costs by extending their useful lifespan.
The IZI Connect fleet management system, which currently manages more than 9,000 vehicles in China, monitors the battery health and supports predictive maintenance, which a Battery Laboratory facilitates for on-site battery cell repair and replacement.
The IZI Battery Laboratory will be the first facility of its kind in Africa. In addition to supporting the IZI fleet, this state-of-the-art lab will extend service to third-party EV users, offering localised battery analysis, repair, and maintenance services.
Strategically located in Kigali, the lab is poised to significantly drive the creation of specialised jobs and accelerate the adoption and growth of EVs across Rwanda and the broader East African region.
Charles Ngarambe, CEO of Kigali Bus Services, commented, “We believe the IZI model service can transform our business’s profitability and drive our expansion.”
IZI has received orders for over 200 buses deployed in Rwanda throughout 2024.
“We are delighted to be able to contribute to the Rwandan Governments progressive target of electrifying 20% of their public transport network by 2030,” Alex Wilson, IZI Chief Executive Officer, commented.
“Kigali faces the same challenges as many other rapidly growing African cities, and the Rwandan Government’s progressive policy initiatives, investment incentives, electrification ambitions, and support make Rwanda an ideal country to pilot IZI’s pioneering e-mobility model.”
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