These buses mark the beginning of a pilot project aimed at electrifying Kigali’s public transportation system at a significantly lower cost than previously anticipated.

Kigali’s population has surged by 50% since 2013, while the number of operational buses has dwindled.

This decline is primarily attributed to rising diesel costs and capped fares, often requiring buses to be 80% full just to break even.

Shrinking bus fleets have led to long wait times for commuters, impacting their daily lives and productivity.

Additionally, vehicle emissions contribute 13% of Rwanda’s greenhouse gases, necessitating a swift transition to cleaner transportation options.

The Rwandan government has actively promoted public transport electrification through various policies.

However, Public Transport Operators (PTOs) have been hesitant to invest in electric buses due to the high initial cost, uncertain resale value, and lack of local maintenance facilities.

IZI Rwanda’s innovative e-mobility-as-a-service model addresses these concerns and offers a smooth path for PTOs of all sizes to electrify their fleets.

Under this model, bus operators pay a low per-kilometer fee and gain access to IZI’s “Pay As You Go” service, including a fully electric vehicle, charging infrastructure, comprehensive vehicle maintenance, and driver training.

This eliminates upfront costs for operators, allowing them to achieve an average operational cost saving of 40%, boosting profitability and enabling them to serve the growing urban population.

A proprietary platform developed by IZI plays a crucial role in their cost-effective solution. It significantly extends the lifespan of electric vehicle batteries, thereby reducing overall vehicle costs.

The IZI Connect fleet management system, already managing over 9,000 vehicles in China, monitors battery health and facilitates predictive maintenance. This is further supported by a Battery Laboratory capable of on-site battery cell repair and replacement.

This state-of-the-art Battery Laboratory, the first of its kind in Africa, will not only service IZI’s fleet but also offer battery analysis, repair, and maintenance services to other electric vehicle users in Rwanda.

Strategically located in Kigali, the lab is expected to create specialized jobs and accelerate the adoption and growth of electric vehicles across Rwanda and East Africa.

“We believe IZI’s service model has the potential to significantly improve our business profitability and fuel our expansion,” stated Charles Ngarambe, CEO of Kigali Bus Services.

IZI Rwanda has received orders for over 200 electric buses to be deployed in Rwanda throughout 2024.