A team made up of GoMetro, MiX Telematics, HSW, ACDC Dynamics, divisions from the Stellenbosch University and the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies (CRSES), are testing South Africa’s first electric taxi in Stellenbosch.
It is a battery-powered electric taxi, with a capacity of about 53 Kilowatts per hour.
Different models will be examined over the next months to establish which vehicle is the most suitable for the sector.
While the electric taxi is expected to advance the electric vehicle mandate, the taxi industry itself faces multiple challenges. The pool of customers has decreased due to fierce competition from other forms of transport such as busses, trains and a growing e-hailing industry, according to the Belwal, Minhans, Murad and Blush study, back in 2013.
In addition, rising costs of buying taxis, the rising cost of petrol and high-interest rates make it difficult to run a productive business.
About 138 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) were sold in South Africa in 2022.
Elsewhere in the world, in India, Uber Green electric cabs were launched at Mumbai International Airport. The EV fleet has its own app and also lucrative routes from the airport.
They are subsidized to succeed, such as the FAME 2 subsidy, which is granted to commercial operators. EV is gaining traction in India, and the Government has made plans to launch 500 e-taxis and 5000 e-scooters.
This effort is expected to improve carbon neutrality.
Picture: CleanTechnica