How we are practically introducing South Africa’s first battery electric minibus-taxi: a collaboration between government and private sector

Abstract

There are currently no major plans to decarbonise the South African minibus taxi. This industry accounts for 34 million tons of CO2 emission per annum and transports 80% of public transport users. The introduction of electric minibus taxis has the potential to reduce operating costs for the minibus taxi sector drastically, while also reducing CO2 emissions. Justin Coetzee has been working for the last 3 years on sourcing and importing an electric minibus taxi that would suit South African conditions, operating practices and legislation - with a view to manufacture an electric minibus in South Africa for local and international consumption. This talk will update the audience on the progress made to-date on this initiative, and showcase the first official design of an electric minibus taxi charging hub - being developed in the Western Cape.