SA’s first ELECTRIC minibus taxi unveiled
The eKamva model was launched at the Smarter Mobility Africa summit in Johannesburg.
eKamva EV launch, electric minibus taxi. Image: GoMetro
Stephen Grootes interviews Justin Coetzee, CEO of transport technology platform GoMetro.
The minibus taxi industry - our most important public transport sector – is ready for the shift towards electric vehicles (EVs), says mobility super platform GoMetro.
South Africa's first minibus taxi model was launched this week by a consortium that GoMetro leads.
It's called the eKamva, a play on the isiXhosa word ikamva, meaning 'the future' or 'into the future'.
The vehicle is currently undergoing homologation, which is being certified compliant with local safety and vehicle standards by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications.
Stephen Grootes interviews Justin Coetzee, founder and CEO of GoMetro.
The eKamva looks very similar to the minibus taxis we're used to seeing on our roads at the moment, Coetzee says.
"It has the same form, 13 (passenger) seats... It will be very familiar for drivers to drive, and for customers to use."
"What makes it different is that it's a factory-built, very high-quality battery electric minibus taxi, with batteries integrated into the chassy.... giving us a 200 km range on a 70 kilowatt hour battery, with a 45-minute 0-85% charge.
"Aside from the fantastic stats, it's a very viable, practical vehicle for the taxi industry to start adopting as we start running it."
Justin Coetzee, CEO - GoMetro
Coetzee adds that the system is complementary to the electricity grid, as taxis are busy when it's peak hour demand at the beginning and end of the day.
A GoMetro statement says most taxis spend up to three hours a day between peak hours at the ranks that they surveyed, which is more than sufficient time to fast-charge an eKamva.
Its website for the charging infrastructure product called flx EV, will soon allow minibus taxi owners and operators to apply to be added to the waiting list, says GoMetro.
"flx EV is in the process of developing charging hubs with partners across South Africa, with the first hubs slated for development in Century City and Stellenbosch in the next 12 months."
GoMetro
Scroll up to listen to the conversation and click here to read the detailed statement from GoMetro