E-Mobility for the Many, Not the Few

What strategies can Africa adopt to make e-mobility affordable and accessible while bridging the gap in urban transportation for underserved communities?

Not About the Cars

Electric vehicles make up less than 0.1% of Africa's total vehicle fleet, with fewer than 10,000 EVs currently on the roads across the continent. This minimal presence highlights the difficulties and possibilities in Africa’s shift to electric mobility, which brings significant environmental and economic benefits to African nations.

Studies indicate that adopting electric vehicles and renewable energy sources could reduce CO2 emissions from transportation by 50% by 2040. However, this transition faces substantial obstacles. The average cost of an electric vehicle—approximately $30,000—remains out of reach for many in low-income countries, potentially reinforcing existing economic disparities.

African transportation currently struggles with multiple pressures: rising fuel costs, poor air quality, and increasing traffic congestion. These challenges are intensified by the impacts of climate change. While electric mobility presents solutions to these issues through reduced emissions and lower operating costs, the lack of charging infrastructure and reliable electricity supply poses significant barriers to adoption. The contrast between potential benefits and practical difficulties is particularly evident in public transportation.

While developed nations have successfully implemented financial incentives for electric vehicle adoption, these strategies may not translate effectively to African contexts, where public transport systems. . .