A few years ago, the advent of electric vehicles would not have been seen as a viable alternative to internal combustion vehicle (ICE) automobiles. However, the adoption of electric mobility globally is on a steady increase and has increased six-fold since 2015, according to reports. It is estimated that the use of electric vehicles in Africa will increase by 30% by 2035.
The pushback on the adoption of electric mobility in the continent is predominantly the importation of fuel-powered automobiles. Africa is reported as the continent that imports the highest number of automobiles — brand new and second hand. About 40% of global export for used cars are imported to Africa. Other limiting factors include the lack of favourable policies, including investment, limited charging infrastructure, low consumer awareness of EV products and services, and taxation issues.
This is not to say that there are no efforts to facilitate the adoption of electric mobility. North Africa, Egypt and Morocco are working on e-mobility strategies. Morocco intends to save 23% on energy in the transportation industry by 2030, and Egypt is developing a national e-mobility policy. Egypt is set to produce its first 100 electric cars in August 2022 and is poised to build 3,000 charging stations to further facilitate the transition.
Regarding creating enabling environments for the adoption of electric mobility, East Africa is said to be firing up the adoption through policies. For instance, the Rwandan government has implemented reduced power pricing for electric vehicles (EVs), no VAT tax on EV consumables, a waiver for import and excise charges, and mortgage-free land for charging stations. Kenya also seeks to ensure that 5% of all newly registered vehicles by the year 2025, will be EVs. South Africa has also stimulated demand for EVs locally and has embarked on EV production.
Momentum towards EVs is building, especially after the European Union (EU) suggested in July of last year that ICE vehicles be phased out in a significant market shift by 2035. Several African governments are also working on robust policy frameworks to help accelerate the adoption and transition to electric mobility.
The Global E-mobility programme by the United Nations Environmental Programme, UNEP has been assisting African countries in developing policies to transition from fossil fuel to electric mobility. This should see more African countries follow through in their strategy to phase out ICE vehicles, as it is a crucial step in combating climate change.
The private sector is not left out of driving the adoption of Evs in Africa. Sustainable tech startups in Africa are spearheading the transition towards electric mobility. In Nigeria, MAX is leading this transition, with an interesting approach that targets diverse social strata — both average, low-income and the high class. With a very wide range of options and the opportunity to create bespoke electric vehicles — two-wheelers and three-wheelers inclusive, MAX has curated several options for an average African or Nigerian to adopt electric mobility.
One of the products launched by MAX is the M3 bike which is the most advanced electric bike in Africa presently. The M3 is specifically designed for the African market, having taken into consideration the long hours of traffic, the road infrastructure and other factors that make the African terrain unique. The M3 is a state-of-the-art electric motorcycle designed for both private and commercial use in SubSaharan Africa.
With the cost of electric vehicles continually on the decrease over the years, thanks to advancements in battery technology and large investments in EV businesses, electric vehicles have been made more accessible. The mass adoption of EVs is imminent especially due to their lower running costs, and obvious benefits to the environment.
This adoption will be made faster as governments begin to enforce new favourable policies and provide economic the requisite economic stimulus for the electric mobility industry to thrive.
