Stellenbosch University Electric Mobility Lab
The Pitch
Sub-Saharan E-Mobility, led by the Stellenbosch University Electric Mobility Lab, developed and tested locally designed electric vehicles, retrofits and charging solutions to help African cities reduce transport emissions, lower operating costs and accelerate a just transition to clean mobility.
The Problem
More than 90% of public transport in sub-Saharan African cities relies on informal systems, including minibus taxis and motorcycles, that are often aging, costly to operate and highly polluting. As urbanization increases, rising transport emissions are worsening air quality and disproportionately affecting low-income communities.
The Process
- Began foundational research on electric mobility in sub-Saharan Africa in 2017, producing early studies on energy systems, vehicle performance and mobility modeling
- Developed locally designed electric vehicle retrofits and off-grid charging solutions tailored to African transport and energy conditions
- Engineered solar-powered charging technologies to support electric mobility in areas with limited or unreliable grid access
- Retrofit minibus taxis and buses to demonstrate the feasibility of converting existing public transport fleets to electric vehicles rather than replacing them entirely
- Completed and legally registered South Africa’s first electric minibus taxi, creating a pathway for clean transport integration within informal transit systems
- Conducted a 1,400-kilometer pilot of the electric minibus taxi in Stellenbosch to test performance and operational viability under real-world conditions
- Supported the deployment of electric buses through technical planning, energy modeling, charging assessments and fleet simulations
- Launched regional demonstrations including the 6,000-kilometer E-Cross Africa expedition, showcasing the viability of long-distance electric mobility powered entirely by solar energy
- Worked with municipalities, national government agencies, transit operators and industry partners to provide technical guidance, policy support and electrification planning tools
- Established training and education platforms to prepare future technicians, engineers and mobility professionals for the electric vehicle transition
The Impact
- Reached more than 1,000 people through pilot programs, vehicle demonstrations, interviews and co-design workshops
- Reached more than 50,000 people indirectly through community outreach, media coverage, conference presentations and public clean transport demonstrations
- Showed the potential for electric mobility to reduce operating costs for taxi owners by 30%–50%, eliminate tailpipe emissions and reduce noise in high-traffic neighborhoods
- Supported the integration of 120 electric buses into the Golden Arrow Bus Services fleet in Cape Town
- Contributed to the development and implementation of a 1.3-megawatt solar plant to reduce grid demand and support cleaner charging
- Designed South Africa’s first legally road-registered electric minibus taxi, helping demonstrate how clean transport can be integrated into informal systems
- Provided data, modeling and capacity building to government departments, municipalities and industry partners
- Supported municipal e-mobility planning in Cape Town and Johannesburg through scenario planning, depot modeling and policy guidance
- Demonstrated viable electric alternatives for widely used vehicles, including Toyota Hiace minibuses and solar-charged motorcycles
- Expanded interest in electric mobility across sub-Saharan Africa through the 6,000-kilometer E-Cross Africa expedition, university engagements, policy roundtables and workshops
