A solar-powered bus described by its Ugandan makers as the first in Africa has been driven in public. Kiira Motors' Kayoola prototype electric bus was shown off at a stadium in Uganda's capital, Kampala. One of its two batteries can be charged by solar panels on the roof which increases the vehicle's 80km (50 mile) range.

The makers now hope to attract partners to help manufacture the bus for the mass market. Kiira Motors' chief executive Paul Isaac Musasizi told BBC News that he had been "humbled" by the large and positive reaction to the test drive.
Solar panels on the bus
Solar panels on the roof of the bus will top up the vehicle's battery


People have been excited by the idea that Uganda is able to produce the concept vehicle, or prototype, and Mr Musasizi said he wanted it to help the country "champion the automotive, engineering and manufacturing industries" in the region.

He also hopes that it will generate employment, predicting that by 2018, more than 7,000 people could be directly and indirectly employed in the making of the Kayoola.
But backing from international companies, which make vehicle parts, is essential for the project to take off.
The vision is that by 2039 the company will be able to manufacture all the parts and assemble the vehicle in Uganda.
The 35-seat bus is intended for urban areas rather than inter-city use because of the restrictions on how far it can travel.
If it is mass produced, each bus would cost up to $58,000 (£40,000), which Mr Musasizi says is a competitive price.

Kiira Motors grew out of a project at Uganda's Makerere University, which is now a shareholder in the company, and it has also benefitted from government funding.

http://www.blackberrybabes.com/2016/02/ugandas-kiira-motors-unveils-africas.html

lalasticlala

this is most certain a vry welcome development I wonder wen 9ja go reach dis stage...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3MXj7UehMo

[size=15pt]Uganda unveils Africa's first solar bus[/size]

Engineers at Uganda's Kiira Motors have unveiled Africa's first solar powered bus.

Known as " Kayoola," the bus uses two batteries that can be charged using solar panels fitted on the vehicle's roof.

It can travel a distance of up to 80 kilometres and can complete a trip to the country's international airport in Entebbe and back to Kampala when fully charged.

The prototype was built by over 60 staff, 12 engineers and artisans

Nice on from Uganda
I hope we Nigerians will emulate the wonderful achievement.