The government of Rwanda is working with different stakeholders to introduce electric public buses in the country as part of the effort to reduce air pollution that is attributable to these buses. A survey conducted indicates that while buses constitute just 15 per cent of motorized transport in the country, they account for over 40 percent of emissions, and the reason given for this is because most buses that are imported in the country are old. The government and its partners have already set an ambitious target to work towards having at least 20 per cent of public buses in the country as electric by the year 2030, and this is good news not just for the environment enthusiasts, but also Rwandans in general. When it comes to implementing new initiatives, Rwanda is known to stand out in many ways and the examples are many including the phasing out of non-biodegradable plastics which even developed economies are still grappling with, among many others. The good thing is, this is not exactly a first. Electric public buses are being deployed including in cities like Mumbai in India, while countries like China and some parts of the United States have made strides in this regard, much as they are still significantly outnumbered by fuel-powered buses. The implementation however should be done with caution to the realities of the country’s public transport system, especially in Kigali City, where it remains a major challenge, even under the current arrangement. Any miscalculation while implementing this transition may exacerbate a situation that is already bad, given what we see in our bus parks during peak hours. Fortunately, already a transition for public transport motorcycles commonly known as Taxi Motos to electric is underway and this provides a good proof of concept. Finally, enablers, especially electricity, will need to be needed to incentivize the move, while other accessories like charging stations should also be adequately set up.
