Africa-focused e-mobility provider IZI on Monday announced significant milestones in its mission to electrify Rwanda’s public transport sector.
In just four months of operation, the company says its initial fleet of five electric buses has demonstrated remarkable success. The buses have travelled over 74,000 electric kilometres, carried more than 250,000 passengers, saved operators 38% in running costs ($34,000 saved in diesel costs alone), and mitigated over 60 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
This impact data is tracked in near real-time via the IZI Connect platform, providing unprecedented transparency to client fleet operators and investors.
“These results validate our E-Mobility-as-a-Service model. We’re not just reducing emissions; we’re proving that sustainable public transport is economically viable in Africa.” Alex Wilson, CEO of IZI, said.
Building on this success, IZI has secured an RWF 300,000,000 (approximately $222k) grant from the Rwanda Green Fund to deploy five additional electric buses in Kigali.
The firm says these vehicles will represent the most advanced public transport in Rwanda to date, boasting features such as an independent intelligent driver’s cabin, air suspension balanced driver’s seat, full LCD dashboard, one-step entry, and a flat-floor design for improved passenger comfort.
The success of IZI’s pilot has led to strong demand from other Rwandan public bus operators. IZI has now signed contracts with 4 leading transport companies for the deployment of over 100 buses, marking a significant expansion of its operations. Andrew Mugisha, Deputy CEO of Volcano Express, one of the partnering companies, said, “IZI’s electric buses offer us a path to significantly reduce our operational costs while contributing to a cleaner environment. We’re excited to deploy these buses on our routes.”
Looking ahead, IZI plans to establish a state-of-the-art battery maintenance and repair facility in Kigali, supporting the entire EV ecosystem in Rwanda and positioning the country as a centre of innovation in the EV industry.
In addition to infrastructure development, IZI is launching comprehensive training programs focused on EV technology and battery diagnostics and repair. These programs are designed to address a critical gap in Rwanda’s emerging electric vehicle sector. “As we introduce more EVs to Rwanda’s roads, it’s vital that we simultaneously develop the skills needed to maintain and repair this new technology,” Wilson explained. “Currently, there’s a shortage of technicians with specialized EV knowledge, which could potentially hinder the growth of the industry.”
The training initiatives aim to create a skilled workforce capable of supporting Rwanda’s rapidly expanding EV sector. This includes expertise in high-voltage systems, battery management, and advanced diagnostics – skills that are fundamentally different from those required for traditional combustion engine vehicles.
IZI’s comprehensive approach to e-mobility – combining vehicle deployment, infrastructure development, and local capacity building – is set to have a transformative impact on Rwanda’s transport sector and economy. It aligns perfectly with Rwanda’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 38% by 2030, setting a blueprint for sustainable urban mobility across Africa.
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