THE #LJfiles: Misty morning but all set for launch of Africa's first solar bus Kayoola

Tuesday 16 February 2016

Misty morning but all set for launch of Africa's first solar bus Kayoola

Preparations ongoing at the Serena hours to

the launch of the Kayoola in background.

COURTESY VIDEO AND PHOTO KIIRA MOTORS

Technological history will be made today when Kayoola, a solar powered bus is launched by President Yoweri Museveni at Serena in Kampala, Uganda.

Event has started, see LIVE FEED at bottom

Kiira Motors Corporation caps three years of extensive work today as Kayoola Electric Vehicle (EV) makes her debut as Africa's first solar-powered electric bus.

The 35-seater bus can travel up to 80 km straight and is powered by two batteries. One is connected to solar panels on the roof, while the other is charged electrically for longer distances and journeys at night.

The venue set to receive visitors today morning

Kiira Motors say it takes just one hour to fully charge each battery, making the vehicle suitable for school buses or longer-haul journeys across borders.

The weather forecast indicated it will be cloudy, with 7:01am set for sunrise and sunset at 7:06pm
The forecast indicated scattered thunderstorms, with maximum and minimum temperatures 28/20°C.

Kiira Motors recently made a prototype of the bus, and ran a test drive at Mandela National Stadium, Namboole on January 30, 2016.

According the Kiira Motors, the project is an industrial development intervention supported through the Presidential Initiative for Science and Technology Innovations.

"The Project is aimed at establishing Vehicle Manufacturing Capabilities in Uganda for Pickups, SUVs, Sedans, Light and Medium Duty Trucks, and Buses.

The ultimate goal is to establish Kiira Motors Corporation as an Automotive Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) in East and Central Africa.

The realization of the KIIRA Motors Corporation Vision is expected to go a long way in contributing towards transforming Uganda into a Middle Income Economy by 2040 by providing a platform with high intellectual convergence of disciplines ranging from engineering, entrepreneurship, business administration, marketing and sales, economics, law, art and design to build a solid local automotive industry progressively enhancing local content.

The development of the Kayoola Solar Electric Bus concept represents the commitment of the Kiira Motors Project to championing the progressive development of local capacity for Vehicle Technology Innovation, a key ingredient for industrializing a sustainable Vehicle Manufacturing Industry in Uganda."