Data Availability is an Important Factor for Electric Vehicle Development in African Communities with Emmanuel Mogaji, Ph.D

The electric vehicle market in Africa is adapting to local needs. Countries like South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Togo, Ethiopia, Burundi, and Madagascar are taking needed steps to focus on electric two and three-wheelers, in an attempt to appeal to locals and create awareness in their local communities.

Image Source - McKinsey & Company

However, electric vehicle penetration in Africa needs infrastructural development.

In the 2022 Global Electric Vehicle Outlook, the International Energy Agency states that experience in more mature electric vehicle markets demonstrates that access to property and grid connections, along with supporting building regulations, interoperability standards and efficient permitting can ease infrastructure development. 

Energy! had a conversation with Emmanuel Mogaji, Ph.D. on the electric vehicle market in Africa. He gives insights into what stakeholders should be doing to ensure that the continent develops its electric vehicle market, especially in localities.

They know about e-mobility; they have seen it, but can they afford it? It is essential even to explore further the African context

This is 2022, yet Africa is still miles away from achieving sustainable transportation. In what five ways can we begin to move the needle on this?

There should be a holistic understanding of the challenges, and then we can explore solutions. We need to recognize our informal economy that expects people to travel daily, our limited infrastructure to support different transport modes, and our awareness of the available sustainable transport modes. There should be a commitment from the government and policymakers about sustainable transport. They must know what it is and be willing to support it. Irrespective of their political affiliations, it is something that should be done.

In addition, we need to make sure there is enough electric vehicle data available going forward. As far back as 2018, the World Economic Forum reasoned that there should be dedicated and objective policy analysis by domestic energy and transport ministries in all African countries, as well as an increased effort to integrate Africa into international EV research. data is important in every developing market, so, investors know how to read the room before investing.

Researchers at the Oxford Martin Programme on Integrating Renewable Energy have previously suggested that to generate much-needed data from Africa's EV market, we must install off-grid solar panels alongside charging points, maximizing our abundant sunshine, alongside mandatory vehicle registration and insurance, with GPS tracking for informal transport operators.

They also recommend the promotion of cashless payments and mobile apps to better track and understand transport user behavior.

They believe that such changes would generate data to demonstrate the market size and business opportunities for electricity companies, electric vehicle manufacturers, and other firms that could, for instance, retrofit existing vehicles with batteries.

Given the fact that road infrastructure is still a pipe dream in some parts of Africa, will electric vehicles/buses make any difference for users?

The motivation should be demonstrated through action. It would be nice to see the governors and politicians use bicycles. Even if it is to raise awareness that cycling is not something for poor people, it is about being sustainable.

I believe it will make a huge difference, but there are many more underlying issues before we even consider bringing it to the public. Electrification of public transport requires enormous investment, and in most cases, these investments are not made; therefore, the adoption of electric buses is low. Also, you need to look at the access to electricity; it is a challenge and can discourage many people from buying EVs. So we need it, it is feasible, but we need to solve the many underlying problems. We cannot just bring EV without providing a solid foundation.

Access to property and grid connections, along with supporting building regulations, interoperability standards and efficient permitting can ease infrastructure development 

Electrification rates in Africa are still very low, how then can e-Mobility be achieved on a large scale across Africa?

There should be more investment. This idea builds on the first point around the motivation for sustainable transport policy. There should be a conscious effort to invest in decarbonizing transportation, providing alternative and more sustainable modes and cycling lanes. These are not cheap, but it for the long-term benefits.

EV needs electricity, and there is a problem in Africa as the electrification rate is low. We do not have the resources to meet the needs of EVs, so to achieve large-scale adoption, I think we should recognize a holistic approach in which action plans are integrated simultaneously.

a. Increase the rate of electrification. Explore the renewable source of energy. The Sun is a massive opportunity for us in Africa. Collaborations are very important in this case. It is time for all stakeholders to be interested in upgrading electrification on the continent as the population increases and more people need low-carbon transportation.

b. Invest in the technology. We cannot stop innovating because we do not have electricity. Through government policy, research and development, EVs should be an ongoing investment. We need to have it ready and going. I am aware a lot of young Africans are building locally-driven EV projects, all they need is support and investments from the government and private sector players.

c. Invest in education and awareness. Let the people know what is out there for them. Let them see themselves using EVs, the financing options, the electricity options, the saving options, and the sustainability options. I believe that with the right awareness drive for various classes of people in every country, we can begin to see changes, after all, the people will drive the energy transition and if they are not aware, there can be no transition from Internal Combustion Engine-led transport to EV-transport, in this case.

All these three ideas must work together.  

Commuters need to be educated about the sustainable and active mode of transportation. They need to know what is on offer, what they can do, and possibly get skilled. May be around using bicycles, they have seen their governors use them, they have seen dedicated cycle lanes, and they have seen opportunities to learn to cycle. There are enormous prospects for uptake.

Aside from policy and collaborations, what other factor would you say Africa needs to ramp up e-Mobility on the continent?

Awareness creation - People must see value in e-mobility. This limited awareness is not just an African problem but essential in this context. They must know what is available to them. What are the options out there? Where can they start from?

Availability - Not everyone can start with EV. What is available for them to use? Electric scooter or electric bicycles? What can they use? How about electric three-wheelers for delivery. This 2021 article written by Alexander Korner of the United Nations Environment Programme approaches EV transport in Africa from the point of two/three-wheelers. He writes that informal, “paratransit” systems based on motorcycle taxis, tuk-tuks, cars, and mini-buses (matatus, dalla-dallas, gbakas as they are often referred to in different African cities), cover by far the largest share of passenger transportation.

Affordability. They know about e-mobility; they have seen it, but can they afford it? It is essential even to explore further the African context. Can people afford E-mobility? If this is a problem, how can we make it more affordable? Stakeholders need to ensure that people can use e-mobility, no matter their income level.

We would also expect investment from the private sector. To see how these companies can come on board and make this work. This idea follows up on point one about motivation and policy for sustainable transport. You have investors coming on board with the assurance that their investments are protected. They can invest in other modes of transportation and allow commuters access to sustainable transport.

The Global Battery Alliance advocates for the production of EV batteries and their by-products to be integrated into the circular economy and promote transparency and reduction of greenhouse emissions from battery manufacturing.