infrahub.africa

Background

BasiGo launched its operations in Nairobi with electric buses manufactured by China's EV maker BYD Automotive. By using electricity instead of diesel to power the buses, it is able to provide public transport operators with a cost-effective and clean alternative. The company was able to kick-start its operations after raising $11 million in equity funding from private investors.

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Approach

BasiGo is an e-mobility start-up that assembles more affordable electric alternatives to diesel buses. This is a cheaper and cleaner daily transportation alternative, diverging from conventional buses in Africa that collectively consume over one billion liters of diesel annually. BasiGo is working with Kenya Power to ensure the roll out of charging stations along key routes, enabling the buses to be charged with predominantly renewable grid electricity.

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Environmental Impact

In African urban centers, nearly 40% of passenger journeys are undertaken using diesel buses. Diesel exhaust emissions currently constitute a major contributor to both harmful air pollutants and the greenhouse gases responsible for global warming. Kenya's energy mix comes largely from renewable sources like hydro and geothermal, so electric vehicles help to reduce particulate and greenhouse gas emissions from transport, with numerous co-benefits for the environment and health of citizens.

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Success Factors

The company has garnered support from both investors and the government, aligning with the government's efforts to roll out a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network to be served by environmentally friendly (electric, hybrid, and biodiesel) vehicles. Knowing that there will be stable demand and expanding infrastructure for electric vehicles has justified investment in BasiGo.

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Evidence

Since its launch, BasiGo has avoided over 166,000 liters of diesel and 398.4 tonnes of carbon emissions. Its buses have driven over 870,000km kilometers cumulatively, providing a safe, clean, quiet, and comfortable commute for over 1 million passengers.

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Evolution

Challenges

Challenges facing the adoption of electric buses in Africa include design mismatches with African road conditions (often tailored for China, India, or Western markets), high import taxes on fully built EVs, a lack of charging infrastructure, inadequate service and support systems (typically catering only for internal combustion engines), and significantly higher upfront costs (currently around double those of equivalent-sized diesel buses).

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