electric vehicles - The African Mirror

Sep

2021

African metals gets a ride on electric vehicles expansion

SETH ONYANGO, BIRD THE global race for the production of electric vehicles (EV) is driving demand for Africa’s metals in what could soon plug billions of dollars into the continent’s GDP. Statista estimates show demand for metals such as nickel, aluminium and iron –– critical components in EVs –– will jump 14 times by 2030, offering minerals-endowed African states an avenue to cash in from the green car revolution. “This increase in demand can be directly traced to the outlook for electric vehicles over the next ten years, with vehicle battery output expected to rise by tens of millions,” read…

May

2021

By The African Mirror

Solar minibuses for Africa? Data seen as key to green transport switch

AFRICITIES

MEGAN ROWLING AS emissions from African transport surge, governments need to find ways to encourage a shift to cleaner, healthier electric vehicles, especially among the minibus and motorcycle taxis that dominate transport in many cities, researchers said on Thursday. Investment in generating more solar-powered electricity to charge electric vehicles (EVs) could encourage their use, cut pollution and costs for passengers, and help stabilise unreliable energy systems, they said in a commentary published in Nature Sustainability. But most African governments lack the data on privately run mass transport systems needed to make the case for financial institutions and development banks to put…

Apr

2021

By The African Mirror

Volkswagen Rwanda unveils new charging station for electric vehicles

MOTORING

CONTINUING the drive towards sustainable mobility for Sub-Saharan Africa, Volkswagen Mobility Solutions Rwanda (VWMSR) recently unveiled its second charging station for electric vehicles in the capital of Kigali. The Volkswagen brand previously introduced a fleet of four e-Golfs and one charging station in Kigali in October 2019, as part of an e-mobility pilot project in partnership with Siemens. This move made Rwanda the first African country to introduce a Volkswagen electric vehicle. The fleet has since expanded to 20 e-Golfs, which are mainly used as shuttles through VWMSR’s mobility services. The second charging station, located at the Kigali Convention Centre,…

Apr

2021

By The African Mirror

Biden proposal: $174 billion for EVs, new funds for renewable power

WORLD

DAVID SHEPARDSON and NICHOLA GROOM 0606President Joe Biden's vast infrastructure plan includes $174 billion to boost the markets for electric vehicles and billions more for renewable power - both provisions aimed at weaning the U.S. off of fossil fuels and combating climate change. The $2 trillion plan, which also seeks to invest in traditional projects like roads and bridges, is a centerpiece of the administration's ambitious agenda to decarbonize the U.S. economy by 2050 and restore the nation's leadership in addressing global warming. It also vows to spend $165 billion on public transit, Amtrak and other rail projects - moves…

Mar

2021

By The African Mirror

Want to create 5 million green jobs? Invest in public transport in cities

AFRICITIES

LIN TAYLOR IN a world reeling from the impact of COVID-19, investing in public transport could create 4.6 million jobs by 2030 and cut transport emissions, mayors in some 100 cities said on Tuesday. A "green and just recovery" with investment in buses and trains, particularly electric vehicles, would also reduce car use and air pollution, and protect vulnerable residents, said C40, a network of cities pushing for climate action. "The road to recovery is paved with investments in our infrastructure," said C40's Cities Climate Leadership Group chairman and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, in a statement. "Public transportation is…