FreedomEV introduces Uganda’s first electric taxis

With zero emissions and reduced noise pollution, these electric taxis offer a sustainable solution for urban mobility while also contributing to the country’s efforts to combat climate change.

The introduction of electric taxis marks a significant milestone in Uganda’s transition towards clean energy and sustainable transportation options.

This initiative not only benefits the environment but also presents a modern and efficient mode of transport for both passengers and drivers.

These were unveiled at the Bwaise Transit Terminal in Kampala where they were touted to help  lower transportation costs for both taxi operators and travelers.

Ratan Tayel, Director of FreedomEV, highlighted that the taxi is fully electric, making it cost effective because it eliminates fuel use.

“This vehicle will run 250 kilometres with one hour charging, and that hour charging will cost approximately shs40,000. So this is economic, and with this vehicle, you don’t have to go for services, you don’t need any oil, you don’t have to change your filter, air filter, oil filter, you don’t have to change. You only change the shock absorbers when damaged, but other things, you don’t need to change,” Ratan said.

“There is no sound, there is no pollution, so this is economical and environment friendly.”

He stated that this electric vehicle will help the government save foreign currency by eliminating the need to import fuel from other countries.

“Government will save their foreign currency, because now they are consuming diesel and petrol, which we have to import from other countries, whereas we have electricity, if we use electricity, we will save foreign currency.”

 Officials said they aim at replacing all old taxis in Uganda with the 11-seater taxi which costs shs120 million.

Jafari Abuyi, the Marketing Manager, stated that they plan to use these vehicles for public transport and revealed their goal of introducing 14-seater vehicles and buses to make Uganda’s public transportation more eco-friendly.

Abuyi added that these electric vehicles benefit the economy by mitigating issues related to fuel price fluctuations.

“The car has a warranty of three years, and the battery life has a warranty of eight years, which is the main issue, since it’s fully electric. You  don’t need to use fuel for it. So it saves the economy with with issues of fuel, sometimes we’ve been we’ve been having fluctuations in fuel prices, so it will really help us a lot.”

Douglas Mugera Mayinja, a leader at the Uganda Taxi Operators Federation, stated that this vehicle aligns with their efforts to promote environmental conservation.