Ghana To Use Electric Vehicles For Public Transport – Bawumia
Accra– Former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has revealed that government is working on a policy framework to use electric vehicles (EVs) for public transport in Ghana.
According to Dr. Bawumia, the move will drastically reduce the cost of transportation since the major components of transport cost are fuel and spare parts, while also helping to reduce carbon emissions.
Sharing the news on Facebook after visiting SolarTaxi, a wholly Ghanaian-owned assembler of electric vehicles in Accra, Dr. Bawumia expressed satisfaction after taking a ride on one of the company’s electric buses which could travel over 200 kilometres without charging the batteries.
“I paid a visit to a start-up, SolarTaxi, a wholly owned Ghanaian assembler of electric vehicles and the third largest electric vehicle assembler in Africa.
They manufacture motorcycles, cars, and buses. It was a pleasure to take a ride in one of their buses which can travel from Accra to Kumasi without the need for a recharge of the batteries.
They are also able to convert existing internal combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles,” he wrote. 710e
Dr. Bawumia said electric vehicles are the future and government is working on a policy framework for their use in public transport.
“I made the point that electric vehicles are the future and the Government is working on a policy framework of using electric vehicles for public transport in Ghana. This will drastically reduce the cost of transportation as the major components of the cost is fuel and spare parts. It will also reduce carbon emissions,” he stated. 710e
He further disclosed that SolarTaxi, through its bankers, is providing financing for its motorcycles, cars and buses without collateral, requiring only GhanaCard ID for a vehicle that can be paid for over time.
Dr. Bawumia also appealed to state transport companies including Metro Mass Transit, STC and Ayalolo to take advantage of the opportunity to acquire electric buses from the Ghanaian company, noting that the average age of workers at SolarTaxi is 26 and 90% of their engineers are female.
The initiative, which was later expanded, saw the launch of Ghana’s first fleet of affordable electric buses in November 2024, with promise of 40-50% reduction in transport fares.
