Uganda’s “Kayoola Solar Bus” to headline UN Innovation Expo
Kiira Motors Corporation, the company behind Africa’s first zero emissions electric traction bus, has confirmed its participation as the Green Mobility Technology Exhibitor during the sixth edition of SIE
KAMPALA, UGANDA, 19 April, 2016 - Kiira Motors Corporation - KMC, the company behind Africa’s first zero emissions electric traction bus - the Kayoola Solar Bus - has confirmed its participation as the Green Mobility Technology Exhibitor during the sixth edition of the Sustainable Innovation Expo which will run on the sidelines of the United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi.
KMC was invited to be the Green Mobility Exhibitor by Climate Action, the organisers of the Expo, in recognition of the nascent automotive integrator’s pioneering role in the development of relevant and zero emissions mobility solutions for Africa.
“Given Kiira Motors efforts in driving the development of Africa’s first solar powered bus, it is a pleasure to showcase your technology to highlight the high levels of sustainable innovation taking place in Uganda,” Climate Action’s Commercial Director Lindsay Baxter says in a March 16 invite to Kiira Motors Chief Executive Officer Paul Isaac Musasizi.
Confirming participation, Kiira Motors Chief Executive officer Mr. Paul Isaac Musasizi says: “Participating in the Sustainable Innovation Expo is an opportunity for us at KMC, to demonstrate Uganda’s and Africa’s commitment to championing green mobility solutions for Africa made by Africans. We have moved from theory to a concept vehicle in a relatively short time and we are happy to share our story and experiences with the other delegates at the show and the rest of the world.”
The Sustainable Innovation Expo which traditionally runs alongside the United Nations Environment Assembly is a high-billed event. This year’s event will be attended by more than 1,200 invited delegates from 163 countries including ministers, diplomats and business leaders along with technocrats. It is the principal platform where policy makers and high level decision makers discuss the most crucial issues affecting the environment, particularly in relation to sustainable development, poverty eradication and climate change.
According to studies conducted by Kiira Motors, replacing Kampala’s estimated fleet of 9000 14-seater commuter buses plying the Ugandan capitals streets daily with the Kayoola Solar Bus would eliminate 96,715 tons of carbon emissions annually.
“The Kayoola represents a step-change that has the potential to move Africa away from the pollution and safety risks associated with the dominant mode of public conveyance in its cities today,” says Mr. Musasizi, one of the authors of the study.
During the COP21 meetings in December 2015, world leaders committed themselves the Paris Agreement to implement measures that will reduce the increase in global temperature to 1.5 degrees centigrade above pre-industrial levels.
Speaking about the significance of the Paris Climate Agreement for global sustainability, President Barack Obama told the American Congress: “I imagine taking my grandkids, if I’m lucky enough to have some, to the park someday, and holding their hands, and hearing their laughter, and watching a quiet sunset, all the while knowing that our work today prevented an alternate future that could have been grim; that our work, here and now, gave future generations cleaner air, and cleaner water, and a more sustainable planet.
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Musasizi says though the efforts of Kiira Motors may be humble, they aim to demonstrate that “the development of complex engineering systems that advance possibilities to meet Africa’s primary needs would need sustainable development goals and ensure that our capacity to meet the needs of today does not compromise the capacity of tomorrows generation to meet their needs.”
Kiira Motors delegation to the Expo will be led by Professor Sandy Stevens Tickodri-Togboa, The state Minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology in the Republic of Uganda. Hon. Togboa, has also played a key mentorship role in the development of Uganda’s Automotive Industry and its associated value chain.
Talking about the design specifications of the bus, Mr. Musasizi explained The Kayoola Solar bus relies entirely on an electric drive system and was designed and fabricated entirely in Uganda with the regional automotive industry supplying a few of the parts. The bus is able to carry 35 passengers with zero tailpipe emissions; it can run for 80 kilometers on a single electric charge, while the solar panels extend the bus’ range by an additional 12 kilometers.
The Kayoola Solar bus will be on public display for the entire duration of the Expo May 23-27, 2016.
For additional information contact Paul Isaac Musasizi
Plot 13, Kimera Raod Ntinda
Web: www.kiiramotors.com
Email: ceo@kiiramotors.com
Tel: +256 393 517 888
Twitter @Kiiramotors
ABOUT KIIRA MOTORS
Established in 2014, Kiira Motor Corporation (KMC), a brain child of Makerere University, is a Presidential Initiative for Automotive Manufacturing in Uganda. KMC is owned by the Uganda Development Corporation (UDC) - the public investment arm of the Uganda Government and Makerere University.
The Kiira Vehicle Technology Innovation Program has produced three concept vehicles, the “Kiira EV, 2011”, a two seater electric car, the "Kiira EV SMACK, 2014", a five-seater sedan- a hybrid electric vehicle- and the “Kayoola Solar Bus, 2016” a Battery Electric Vehicle with a Real-Time Solar Charging System for range extension.
The Kiira Motors plant shall sit on 100 acres of land situated at the Uganda Investment Authority Jinja Industrial and Business Park on Plot 701, Block 2 Kagogwa village, Mawoito Parish, Kakira Town Council, Jinja district, Uganda. The Kiira Motors Plant shall be equipped to support the manufacture of up to 60,000 vehicles per year employing over 2,000 people. KMC is slated to start production of vehicles in 2018 with a portfolio including Pick Ups, SUVs, Sedans, Trucks and Buses.
