Kenyan electric bus start-up BasiGo has taken another step towards revolutionizing public transportation in the country with the arrival of 15 new electric buses from BYD Automotive, the world’s largest manufacturer of electric vehicles. The buses were shipped partially assembled to Associated Vehicle Assemblers (AVA) in Miritini, Mombasa, where they will be completed and finished before being deployed on Nairobi routes.
This new shipment of buses is the same model as the two pilot buses launched in Nairobi in March 2022. The pilot program has been a resounding success, with the buses logging over 120,000 kilometers and carrying over 150,000 passengers with two separate bus operators: Citi Hoppa and East Shuttle.
BasiGo CEO Jit Bhattacharya said in a press release that these new buses would soon be plying routes across Nairobi, giving residents access to safe, comfortable, and clean public transport for their daily commute. He also highlighted the importance of finishing the assembly of these buses in Kenya, as it demonstrates that these new electric vehicles can be manufactured locally.
According to Moses Nderitu, the CRO of BasiGo, local assembly is crucial, and as a result, all-electric buses supplied by BasiGo will be assembled in Kenya from next year. He also mentioned that efforts are being made to increase localization by incorporating local components such as interiors and telematics to develop the capacity for assembling electric buses within Kenya.
The buses are fully electric with a 25-seater capacity and cost $46,698. BasiGo also has a separate contract option where operators pay $0.16 per kilometer. It is a game-changer for the public transportation industry in Kenya, as it offers an affordable and eco-friendly alternative to traditional fossil fuel-powered buses.
As a trailblazer in adopting electric vehicles in the public transportation industry, BasiGo is making strides in revolutionizing how residents of Nairobi commute. With the recent addition of 15 new buses, more citizens will have access to a sustainable and environmentally-friendly mode of transportation. The company’s decision to assemble all of its electric buses locally in Kenya is commendable for its environmental impact and potential to boost the local economy by building capacity for electric vehicle manufacturing.