Small 14- to 35-seater minibus taxis, known as matatus, play a major role in providing transport services for urban commutes in Kenya. Estimates put Kenya’s minibus and bus fleet at just over 100,000 vehicles. Matatu is Swahili for the number three. It is believed the name stuck from the 1970s when the fare was 3p.
With emissions from the transport sector accounting for a huge chunk of the pollution in large cities such as Nairobi, the adoption of electric buses is bound to have a significant impact in reducing emission levels. The electric BYD K6 minibus, which has seating capacity of around 20 or so passengers, is a candidate to slot in perfectly into this ecosystem.
Minibus operators in Nairobi say their daily operations are generally around 200 km per day. The BYD K6 with a range of about 250 miles in city driving could potentially meet their needs throughout the day and then be charged overnight at the depot, addressing one of the major barriers to adoption, which is the limited charging infrastructure at the moment. Another major barrier and burning issue the higher upfront purchase prices of electric buses as compared to similar diesel buses.
Come on East Africa. Here in Tanzania we have masoudkipanya with his superb BEV. We are proud of you guys, lets make Our Africa green with this masterpiece technology💪