The plant’s focus on retrofitting locally-owned vehicles into eco-friendly alternatives is not only revolutionising the automotive industry but also empowering Botswana to embrace the green revolution on its own terms. On Wednesday, BITRI Coordinator Electric Mobility Programme Dr Malefo Maje told BusinessWeek that the development marks a significant step towards reducing carbon emissions and promoting a cleaner, more sustainable future. "The retrofitting plant in Kanye plays a crucial role in this broader mission, offering an affordable, practical solution to get more Batswana on the road to driving electric vehicles," he said.
Maje said the unique initiative is creating job opportunities for local engineers, technicians, and assembly workers who are trained in cutting-edge electric vehicle technology. In addition, he said the plant strengthens Botswana’s growing reputation as a hub for technological innovation in Southern Africa. By localising this technology, BITRI is building the capacity for Botswana to not only meet its own transportation needs but also to contribute to the regional and global shift towards electric vehicles. This month BITRI launched the country’s first locally assembled e-Mobility electric car. The locally assembled SUVs are powered by a 150-kilowatt electric motor, delivering a peak torque of 320 Newton metres and a travel range of approximately 520 kilometres on a full charge. The town buses can cover a maximum distance of 250 kilometres.
The SUVs can be fully charged from zero to full capacity in just 20 minutes using fast-charging systems. Maje said the e-Mobility programme will be rolled out in three key phases, the first focusing on capacity building as more than 100 people have been trained, while the second will focus on retrofitting. The third will establish an assembly plant to scale up electric mobility by engaging the private sector. “Currently, the programme is in the semi-knockdown stage with the long-term goal of transitioning to a complete knockdown process. “This shift will allow the plant to build more components locally and establish a regional value chain further boosting the local economy and creating more jobs,” he told BusinessWeek.
