Ugandan automaker Kiira has developed Kayoola, the first African solar bus, in collaboration with the engineering department of Makerere University. Able to contain 37 people, the machine has an autonomy which allows it to travel 80 km without needing to be recharged. Charging is done by solar panels attached to the roof of the vehicle and the energy produced is stored in the integrated battery. The bus can also run on electric power.
The manufacturing cost of this machine is higher than the average, but its manufacturer hopes to obtain the support of its partners to produce it in mass, which should reduce its costs. This industrial production, if effective, will create around 7,000 jobs by 2018.
Kiira is not the first time trying to make green vehicles. It has, to its credit, the Kiira EV, a 2-seater vehicle, and a sedan, the Kiira Smack.
Source: http://www.agenceecofin.com/solaire/0202-35572-ouganda-kiira-motor-concoit-kayoola-le-premier-bus-solaire-d-afrique
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