First SA electric minibus taxi could soon be spotted on Stellenbosch roads: Prof Thinus Booysen

There are 250,000 minibus taxis, many ageing on South African roads, spewing carbon emissions into the air. These emissions are surging with the near collapse of the country’s train system. Electric vehicles could transform health, carbon emission, and costs to hard-hit commuters. But, when it comes to the transition to electric vehicles, South Africa however remains in the slow lane. This has prompted a team from the University of Stellenbosch's Faculty of Engineering to lead the way and develop an electric minibus taxi. Heading the project is Prof Thinus Booysen, who said there is no single entity in South Africa manufacturing electric engines for minibus taxis. Prof Booysen said his team is investigating the potential strain on the electricity grid and considering installing solar power at taxi ranks and extensive battery banks. He said their test vehicle will be roadworthy in the next month and then be compared to an imported electric minibus. So, if you're driving around Stellenbosch in the next month and you see a silent minibus packed with engineers, it could just be the future of public transportation in South Africa.