Bakkies may bolster the South African economy, but it’s the minibus taxis that keep its heartbeat alive, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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With an estimated fleet of 250 000, these taxis are the most vital means of local transportation, moving millions of people daily. Any shifts in this sector are consequential, especially in urban areas. Given the established routes and significant dwell times at ranks, electric vehicles (EVs) seem like a natural fit for urban taxi operations.
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Since taxis often wait for passengers during peak hours, there’s ample opportunity for recharging throughout the day. This concept sparked flxEV’s research, which they presented at the Smarter Africa Mobility Summit 2024. Partnering with Go Metro, Stellenbosch University, Mix Telematics, ACDC Dynamics, and the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies, flxEV gathered extensive real-world data culminating in the development of the eKamva.
The eKamva is based on the Chinese Higer H5C and features a battery pack from CATL, a supplier to numerous luxury EV brands.
‘This represents a fresh approach to electrifying public transport for smaller vehicles,’ says Justin Coetzee, CEO of GoMetro. ‘We believe it will ignite a new economic sector that’s crucial for the automotive industry.’
In a broader economic context, the fuel savings from using eKamva instead of traditional petrol or diesel taxis could stimulate spending in surrounding areas, boosting economic activity near taxi ranks, as per News24.
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Picture: flxEV / Website
