Ghana is set to become one of the first countries in Africa to adopt electric vehicles (EVs) for public transport, according to its Vice President, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.
Dr. Bawumia announced this ambitious plan on his Facebook page after visiting SolarTaxi, a Ghanaian company that assembles and manufactures EVs, including motorcycles, cars, and buses.
He said the government is working on a policy framework to move public transport from a dependence on fossil fuels to EVs, which will reduce transportation costs and carbon emissions.
“Where I want to see us go in the next few years is to move public transport completely from a dependence on petrol and diesel to fully electric vehicles. That is really where Ghana ought to go. And it is doable. We ought to move away from petrol and diesel to electric vehicles as a matter of policy,” Dr. Bawumia stated.
He also praised SolarTaxi for its innovation and achievements, saying it is the third largest EV assembler in Africa and can also convert existing internal combustion engine vehicles to EVs.
He expressed his satisfaction after taking a ride on one of the company’s buses, which can travel from Accra to Kumasi, a distance of over 200 kilometers, without the need for a recharge of the batteries.
He urged public transport agencies like Metro Mass, STC, and Ayalolo to take advantage of the opportunity and acquire more electric buses.
He added that SolarTaxi, through its bankers, provides financing options for its vehicles without collateral, requiring only a GhanaCard ID.
He noted that 90 percent of the company’s engineers are women and the average age of its staff is 26.
“Congratulations to SolarTaxi. Proud of you. The sky is the limit. It is possible!” he concluded.
Ghana’s plan to introduce EVs for public transport is in line with the global trend of transitioning to cleaner and greener energy sources, as the world faces the challenges of climate change and environmental degradation.
According to the International Energy Agency, the global stock of EVs reached 10 million in 2020, and is expected to grow to 145 million by 2030.
Several countries, including China, India, France, and the UK, have announced plans to phase out fossil fuel vehicles and promote EVs in the coming years.
Ghana, as a signatory to the Paris Agreement on climate change, has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 15 percent by 2030, and to increasing its share of renewable energy in its electricity mix to 10 percent by 2020.
The adoption of EVs for public transport will not only help Ghana achieve its climate goals, but also improve the quality of life of its citizens by providing them with cheaper, safer, and more convenient mobility options.
Source: Graphic Online
