South Africa’s eKamva Electric Minibus Launched

Key Figures & Findings: A consortium of South African tech companies and research institutions, led by the transport technology platform GoMetro,a company specializes in digitizing public transport systems has launched an electric minibus taxi, eKamva, aimed at revolutionizing urban transport. The project includes contributions from companies like flx EV, Powerfleet, and HSW, with support from Stellenbosch University’s Faculty of Engineering. The eKamva initiative, which began in 2023, has already tested these electric taxis on existing routes around Stellenbosch, ensuring performance under local conditions.

Insights: The eKamva minibus model operates within a digital ecosystem that features an app by flx EV, enabling fleet owners to monitor vehicles, direct drivers to nearby charging hubs, and manage payments. The consortium plans to install the first two charging hubs in Century City and Stellenbosch within the next year.

Future Implications: If successful, eKamva could mark the beginning of a sustainable minibus taxi market in South Africa, potentially transforming the local public transport industry by 2025. This project may inspire similar electrification efforts across the country, fostering new opportunities within the automotive and tech sectors.

Source: Innovation Village