Written By: By Jemosop Faith, Faith specializes in energy, climate, and renewables, transforming complex policy discussions into accessible, everyday conversations, she is a writer at Africa Digest News backed by 2+ years of focused experience
The global shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) is rapidly gaining momentum, and Ghana is no exception. At the forefront of this transformation is Solar Taxi, a Ghanaian EV company leveraging Chinese technology to address the nation’s unique transportation and energy needs.
From passenger cars and logistics to solar power generation and energy storage, Chinese tech is proving instrumental in Ghana’s journey towards sustainable mobility.
Solar Taxi, founded in 2019 as a project, has quickly evolved into a key player in Ghana’s e-mobility sector. Emmanuel Agyapong, the Chief Operating Officer of Solar Taxi, highlights the accessibility and affordability of Chinese components as a crucial factor in their initial stages.
“It’s easy and it’s affordable for you to get it,” he explains. “We were going through this project, just a matter of getting things together to test whether what’s our idea is feasible.”
The company’s genesis stemmed from a desire to explore alternative power sources for vehicles. With limited capital, they turned to Chinese technology, which offered a cost-effective entry point into the EV market.
This decision has proven successful, allowing Solar Taxi to expand its operations and contribute significantly to Ghana’s EV landscape.
The EV space in Ghana is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing awareness and demand. “We’ve made a lot of media about it, so a lot of people now understand it,” Aapon notes.
While financial constraints remain a hurdle for many, the desire to experience EVs is palpable. Investors are also showing keen interest, further fueling the sector’s development.
The Ghanaian government plays a supportive role by providing policy guidance and setting standards. Notably, standards for charging stations and specific EV models have been established, creating a conducive environment for EV adoption.
“I think for Ghana, we’ve moved beyond that,” Agyapong asserts. “The standards have been done. We’ve got a standard for the charging stations. We got a standard for some specific um EVs that we can bring into the country.”
Chinese EVs, particularly two-wheelers (bikes), three-wheelers, and four-wheelers (cars), are the most popular among Solar Taxi’s customers. BYD and Dongfeng models are prominent in the car segment, chosen for their early availability and ease of understanding.
“These are the most foremost EV that came in, and we are more likely to associate with the first thing that you put your hand on, you understand it and it’s easy for you to have um for you to be able to learn about it,” he explains.
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Solar Taxi’s business model has evolved from a taxi service to a comprehensive e-mobility company. “We call it a solar taxi. The idea was basically for the use of solar to power our taxes,” Agyapong clarifies.
Today, the company sells a wide range of EVs, including buses, cars, and bikes, catering to diverse needs.
The popularity of electric bikes is particularly noteworthy, with over 400 bikes in circulation, primarily used for delivery and courier services. Solar Taxi’s strategic approach involves building partnerships with companies and organizations to expand its reach.
“Strategically, um we are the leaders in that, and then so basically it’s about developing partnership,” Aapon emphasizes.
While the company currently operates around 10 Chinese EV taxis, its impact extends beyond transportation. Solar Taxi is also involved in solar panel integration and lithium-ion battery recycling.
“For us, as said, they made a solar taxi, the KN is for you to use a solar panel to try the Vos,” Agyapong says. While solar panels are not bundled with individual EV purchases, they are offered to fleet operators.
Solar Taxi’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its battery recycling initiatives. The company re-engineers and repurposes old lithium-ion batteries, extending their lifespan and reducing waste.
“The batteries are still from the Chinese markets, but we use the local people to do the assembly,” Aapon explains. “We rep the batteries, the battery that we have taken from the car, we repossess it and fix it, and then use it to do other things.”
Despite the progress, challenges remain. High vehicle costs compared to secondhand ICE vehicles, infrastructure gaps, and public institutional delays are significant hurdles.
“The vehicles are a bit more expensive than the normal ice vehicles, and in Africa, like Ghana, we are mostly into second hand Vehicles,” Agyapong acknowledges.
Solar Taxi is optimistic about the future. The company plans to expand its regional presence, with operations already underway in Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Togo. “We have couple of our vehicles in Nigeria too, and Burkina Faso,
Solar Taxi envisions a thriving African EV market, with increased collaboration and trade among nations. “It’s going to become big,” Agyapong predicts.
“Africa, we should be able to even put it together and trade among ourselves. It will be very, very important to grow the economy of Africa.”
Solar Taxi anticipates significant growth and increased adoption of EVs across the continent.
With its innovative approach and commitment to sustainability, Solar Taxi is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of transportation in Ghana and beyond.
