Nairobi’s first electric passenger buses have become a popular tourist attraction, providing commuters with a cleaner, more ecologically friendly, and more cost-effective mode of transportation.
The two buses, which travel on municipal routes, are part of a test programme established in March by local electric mobility firm BasiGo. According to Samuel Kamunya, BasiGo’s head of business development, Nairobi locals have embraced the electric buses.
BasiGo intends to extend its electric bus operations and bring 1,000 electric buses to Nairobi over the next five years.
Evelyn Musangi, a Nairobi commuter who has taken BasiGo’s bus, said she wanted to experience riding on an electric bus and enjoy its elegant appearance. Furthermore, she considers the shift from fossil fuels to green energy interesting and wishes to participate in it.
Despite being produced domestically, the electric buses employ parts manufactured by Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD Automotive. BasiGo has profited from China’s innovation in green technology through its relationship with the firm, allowing the buses to operate with no emissions or diesel. The operating expenses are also cheaper than for diesel buses, and there is real-time data for tracking operations, according to Kamunya.
The buses can carry 25 passengers and are entirely electric. BasiGo runs a charging station and has skilled personnel to service and maintain the vehicles.
Since the pilot began, the buses have travelled over 19000 kilometres and transported over 13500 people, according to Kamunya.
The green energy utilised by the buses throughout the trial amounted to more than 7 tonnes of CO2 emissions and over 3400 gallons of fuel.
According to Franklin Makokha, a BasiGo bus conductor, more Kenyans are getting interested in the buses and electric cars in general since the project’s inception.
“We’ve also had enquiries from investors who want to enter into this industry regarding its feasibility, and some have indicated interest because of the cost-effective nature of these buses,” Makokha added.
