South Africa has recently seen the launch of its first-ever electric minibus taxi, a 15-seater called eKamva, welcoming in a new era for public transport. This initiative, spearheaded by GoMetro—a fleet management platform—in collaboration with collaborators such as Powerfleet, HSW, and Stellenbosch University, is looking to establish a sustainable model customized to meet South African conditions.
The launch was backed by rigorous testing of electric minibuses on existing taxi routes around Stellenbosch, to ensure the eKamva model is both reliable and adaptable to local commuting needs. For added convenience, the flx EV app was developed, a feature that allows fleet owners to monitor vehicle status, schedule charging, and prepay for refuels. Charging hubs are set to emerge across South Africa, with initial locations in Century City and Stellenbosch expected within a year.
Electric Public Transport, The Future?
According to GoMetro CEO Justin Coetzee, the eKamva minibus, which means “future” in Xhosa, offers a range of over 200 km on a single charge. It supports fast charging within 75 minutes or an overnight slow charge. Importantly, operating costs could be reduced by up to 70%, depending on route and fuel prices.
A major challenge, however, lies in import duties—currently at 40%—that categorize electric vehicles as luxury items. This tax pushes the eKamva’s cost to approximately R1.1 million ($63,413) to R1.2 million ($69,178). Coetzee believes that with policy adjustments, such as removing luxury taxes on EVs, the price could align with popular models like the Toyota Quantum.
A Market Emerges
As the South African electric vehicle market grows, expected to hit $93.3 million in 2024 and increase by nearly 9% annually through 2029, the eKamva project represents a transformative shift in the public transport industry.
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