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In a significant stride toward sustainable transportation and environmental responsibility, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia announced today that the Ghanaian government is committed to supporting the growth of the local electric vehicle (EV) industry. During a visit to Solar Taxi, a leading Ghanaian EV assembling firm, the Vice President expressed the government’s dedication to promoting electric-based transport systems.
The government’s endorsement of Solar Taxi aligns with its broader mission of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lowering transportation costs for citizens. Furthermore, this initiative is in harmony with the global shift towards renewable energy sources, marking Ghana’s determination to be a part of this worldwide transition.
“We’ll support you, you can count on us. We will open the channels and remove the bottlenecks to scale up. This is not about you; it’s about us as a nation,” Vice President Bawumia affirmed during his visit to Solar Taxi’s facility in Laterbiokoshie, Accra.
Dr. Bawumia’s tour of Solar Taxi’s assembly plant was accompanied by interactions with the company’s engineers, notably, 90 percent of whom are women. The visit also included a ride on Solar Taxi’s 34-seater electric bus, showcasing the practicality of electric vehicles in Ghana’s transportation landscape.
Vice President Bawumia emphasized that promoting the use of electric vehicles in Ghana could significantly reduce transportation costs, primarily driven by the high prices of petrol and diesel. This transition also holds the promise of generating employment opportunities, particularly for the country’s youth.
The government is actively formulating an e-mobility policy framework to guide the adoption of electric vehicles, taking into account inputs from various stakeholders. Dr. Bawumia urged the heads of key transportation entities, such as the State Transportation Company Limited, Metro Mass Transit, and Bus Rapid Transit System (Aayaloloo), to explore partnerships with Solar Taxi for the conversion of their fossil fuel-based buses to electric ones, reducing reliance on petroleum products.
Mr. Jorge Kwadwo Appiah, the Chief Executive Officer of Solar Taxi, shared insights into the company’s journey since its inception in Ghana in 2018. To date, Solar Taxi has introduced 500 electric vehicles to the Ghanaian market, including motorbikes and tricycles in the northern regions. Appiah highlighted the critical need for financial support and potential partnerships with government agencies to scale up production. He also outlined plans to establish an electric vehicle plant in Prampram and requested tax incentives from the government.
Solar Taxi envisions having 10,000 electric vehicles in the Ghanaian market within the next three to five years, creating 10,000 jobs. Currently, the company offers electric van, motorbike, and tricycle rentals to individuals and corporations. Additionally, their ride-hailing platform provides vehicles to drivers on a daily basis, with some earning up to GHc300.00 per day and GHc3,000 per month.
As the government and Solar Taxi collaborate to promote electric mobility, Ghana takes a substantial step toward a greener and more sustainable future for transportation, offering economic benefits and environmental stewardship to its citizens.
