The Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has disclosed that the government is working on a policy framework for using Electric Vehicles(EVs) for public transport in Ghana.
According to Dr Bawumia, electric vehicles will reduce the total cost of transportation as the major components will be slashed to fuel and spare parts.
He stated that EVs also reduce carbon emissions, assuaging global warming threats.
He mentioned that electric vehicles represent the future, hence an interest in providing a framework for use.
Dr Bawumia shared these remarks during his visit to SolarTaxiGh, a Ghanaian-owned electric vehicle manufacturer and the third largest manufacturer in Africa.
SolarTaxiGh, an initiative launched by Kumasi Hive and supported by the Mastercard Foundation, focuses on harnessing solar energy for sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation solutions.
They manufacture motorcycles, cars, and buses and specialize in converting existing internal combustion engine vehicles into electric ones.
During his visit, Dr. Bawumia expressed the pleasure of experiencing a ride in one of SolarTaxi’s buses, which can travel from Accra to Kumasi without requiring a battery recharge.
He highlighted that SolarTaxiGh, in collaboration with its banking partners, offers financing options for motorcycles, cars, and buses without collateral.
“All they require is your Ghana Card ID, and they will give you a vehicle, which you can pay for over time.”
Furthermore, the Vice President commended SolarTaxi for its efforts, noting that the average age of their employees was 26, with 90 per cent of their engineers being female.
He called on public transportation companies such as Metro Mass, STC and Ayalolo to seize the opportunity to acquire more electric buses. He congratulated SolarTaxGh for its contributions to bringing electric vehicles into Ghana.