Zetech University has taken a major step aimed at sustainable transport by launching an electrically powered tuk-tuk. The innovation is sure to revolutionize the transport sector while cutting carbon emissions.
Key Features and Benefits:
Unlike the traditional fuel-based tuk-tuks, this electric version runs with over 60 km/hr speed and fitted with more than 100 km capacity rechargeable batteries. The solar panels fitted onto its roof harvest solar energy, thus making this a pure and eco-friendly mode of transport.
“We have assembled the tuk-tuk, fitted it with electric motors, and mounted solar panels to recharge its batteries once they get drained. It is noiseless, cost-effective, and clean,” Prof. Gitau Kamau said during the university’s Innovation Week.
Economic and Environmental Impact
This electric tuk-tuk goes for Sh450,000—slightly above the actual fair value of the conventional tuk-tuks, but serves the owner with long-term savings considering there is no fuel use involved. Prof. Kamau emphasized the need to reduce reliance on conventional fuels, considerably impacting the environment at a time when fuel costs are very high, with increased carbon emissions.
Challenges and Government Support
Some challenges have affected mass production due to the expensive e-mobility equipment. Prof. Kamau appealed to the government to formulate policies that support e-mobility adoption and scrap off excise duties on primary components. He proposed that Special Economic Zones should provide space for the assembling of body parts, hence making this production more affordable and efficient.
“E-mobility is the way to go, and the government has been categorical that by 2027 most vehicles will be electric. To get there, policies supportive of e-mobility ought to be in place,” Kamau noted.
Government Efforts
The Kenyan government targets being fully operationally transitioned to electric buses by 2027 in relation to its agenda of transforming the transport industry and having minimal effects on climate change. Former CS for Investment, Trade and Industrialisation Rebecca Miano cited a draft policy that offered a proposal for incentives on increased uptake of electric vehicles, which included reducing excise duty on electric vehicles to 10 percent as per the Finance Act, 2023.
Prospects Ahead
Prospects include the review of the Integrated National Transport Policy, 2009, with the development of an Automotive Policy that focuses on electric vehicles as a way to spur assembly and manufacturing. County governments are called upon to allow electric tuk-tuks to move freely within CBDs, leveraging their benefits for carbon credit trading.