As the continent’s electric vehicle market accelerates, one innovator is harnessing solar power to create a more accessible and sustainable driving solution.
Africa’s electric vehicle (EV) market is shifting into high gear, with projections from Mordor Intelligence indicating it could reach a value of $4.2 billion by 2030, more than double its current size. Yet, a central challenge remains: the electricity charging these vehicles often comes from a grid powered by fossil fuels.
Enter Bako Motors, a Tunisian startup steering the trend in a new direction. Founded in 2021, the company is integrating one of Africa’s most abundant resources—sunshine—directly into its vehicles.
Bako’s compact cars and cargo vans come equipped with solar panels on their roofs. While the vehicles feature standard lithium batteries and can be plugged in for charging, the integrated panels provide a direct, free source of energy from the sun.
“The solar cells provide us with more than 50% of our needs,” says Boubaker Siala, founder and CEO of Bako Motors. “For example, the B-Van, for commercial use, you can have free energy for about 50 kilometers (31 miles) per day… 17,000 kilometers (10,563 miles) per year. It’s huge.”
This technology is a potential game-changer for cost-conscious businesses and drivers, significantly reducing the operating expense of an EV.
The company, which began with three-wheeled cargo vehicles, has now expanded its lineup to two main four-wheeled models aimed at distinct segments of the market:
- The B-Van: A commercial cargo van designed for logistics and last-mile delivery. It can carry 400 kilograms (882 pounds) and has a range of 100 to 300 kilometers (62 to 186 miles). Prices start at 24,990 Tunisian dinar (approximately $8,500).
- The Bee: A tiny two-seater car tailored for daily urban commutes, with a range of 70 to 120 kilometers (44 to 75 miles) and a top speed of 45 km/h (27 mph). It starts at 18,264 Tunisian dinar (about $6,200).
While the startup is still in its early stages, having produced just 100 vehicles to date, it has ambitious plans to scale up production and increase exports in the coming year. The roadmap also includes expanding its model lineup.
Khaled Habaieb, COO of Bako Motors, told media that the company is already designing a third model, the X-Van, which will accommodate two passengers and feature a larger cargo area.
TunisianMonitorOnline (NejiMed)
