Kenyan e-mobility start-up BasiGo, which is being directed by entrepreneur Jit Bhattacharya and is in the process of transforming Africa’s transport sector, has revealed an ambition to revolutionize the landscape of transport in Kenya.
Reports indicate that the e-mobility start-up intends to build sixteen electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the city of Nairobi by the end of this year. By doing so, the company intends to strengthen its commitment to the developing e-mobility revolution in the country.
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Remarks from the Chief Executive Officer of BasiGo
Jit Bhattacharya, the Chief Executive Officer of BasiGo, made the news when the company was celebrating the opening of its very first public charging station in the Buruburu estate of Nairobi. In a statement that conveyed his excitement, Bhattacharya said:
“We are looking to establish 16 such stations across Nairobi by December this year before rolling out the service to other parts of the country.”
Bhattacharya emphasized the potential for expansion, adding: “This is a charging station with the capability of charging six electric buses simultaneously, but it also has the scope and the space for us to eventually expand to the charging of 30 electric buses at this first area.”
Achievements of BasiGo
The cutting-edge charging station, which has a worth of Ksh4 million ($29,000), has the ability to power six buses at the same time.
The station was at first only accessible to the 17 buses that make up the BasiGo fleet; but, starting in December, it will be open to the general public.
BasiGo intends to incorporate the cost of charging into its pay-as-you-drive subscription plan in order to ensure that its customers have convenient access.
The cost of leasing batteries is covered by the daily price of Ksh20 ($0.144) that subscribers pay for each kilometre driven.
Already having made significant headway in Kenya’s e-mobility market, BasiGo is an impressive company. Since the company’s introduction to the market in March 2021, its fleet has travelled a total of 280,000 km, accommodated 360,000 people, and resulted in a reduction of 120 tonnes of carbon emissions.
BasiGo has an impressive track record of accomplishments, and the company is now setting its eyes on a landmark achievement: the deployment of 1,000 electric buses in Kenya by the year 2025. This will be a significant step towards BasiGo’s ultimate aim of achieving zero emissions.
The e-mobility firm, which has received money from investors amounting to a total of $10.9 million, is committed to increasing the production of electric public service cars on a larger scale.
In addition, BasiGo is proactively growing its network of charging infrastructure, with a particular emphasis on the city of Nairobi, which is home to the majority of its highly valued customers.
About BasiGo
BasiGo is revolutionising the bus industry in Africa by introducing a brand new type of vehicle. Electric buses from BasiGo have a longer range than diesel buses, which they also operate more reliably, and their running expenses are lower. The BasiGo electric buses are charged overnight using East Africa’s plentiful renewable energy source, which enables them to have a significant influence on reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
And with BasiGo’s one-of-a-kind Pay-As-You-propulsion financing solution, the K6 Electric bus is made accessible to all owners who are interested in making the switch to clean, electric propulsion at an affordable price. The year 2021 marks the beginning of operations for the business, which has its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
The BasiGo K6 Electric bus, which has 25 seats, is currently available for preorder, and the company is accepting bookings for it. The K6 Electric Bus is now available for a purchase price of Ksh 5 Million in addition to an inexpensive subscription fee of Ksh 20 per kilometre when it is paired with the Pay-As-You-Drive battery subscription offered by BasiGo.
A BasiGo bus, one of two that were used in the road pilot that began in the Kenyan capital in 2022. The business anticipates having one hundred of its electric buses operational by the time 2023 comes to a close. A “pay-as-you-drive” plan is being implemented by BasiGo, which means that the company will not be operating its own fleet of buses, but rather would be selling buses directly to private operators in Nairobi.