Rwanda’s electric public transport network has taken a major leap forward following the introduction of 18 next-generation electric buses capable of covering up to 400 kilometres on a single charge, significantly extending the reach of zero-emission travel across Rwanda.
The new buses were introduced by electric mobility firm BasiGo, which supplies and operates electric buses for passenger transport operators. With the enhanced range, the company says the vehicles can now comfortably serve destinations across the country, including the far-flung Rusizi District in southwestern Rwanda, a route that had previously posed operational challenges for earlier models.
The deployment represents another milestone in Rwanda’s drive to accelerate electric mobility adoption and reduce dependence on diesel-powered public transport.
According to BasiGo, each bus accommodates 42 seated passengers and can travel as far as 400 kilometres while utilizing roughly 80 per cent of its battery capacity. The company’s previous generation buses offered an estimated range of about 300 kilometres.
Commercial electric bus services to Rusizi are expected to commence on July 1 following a series of successful test runs.
“Until recently, Rusizi remained the only route we could not reliably operate using our electric buses,” said Johns Kizihira, Managing Director of BasiGo Rwanda. “The new buses have proven capable of completing the round trip without requiring any intermediate charging.”
The latest additions will complement BasiGo’s existing network connecting Kigali with destinations such as Nyagatare, Rusumo, Rubavu, Karongi, Musanze, Huye and Nyamata.
While the extended driving range unlocks new opportunities for electric mobility, charging infrastructure continues to be a key constraint to wider adoption. Currently, dedicated charging facilities are concentrated in Kigali and Muhanga.
To support long-distance operations, BasiGo is expanding its charging network, with new facilities planned for Huye, Rusizi and Rubavu.
Kizihira noted that because the company provides both vehicles and charging infrastructure, scaling up charging capacity is critical to sustaining the sector’s growth.
Operators and drivers already using electric buses report that the vehicles are not only easier to drive but also substantially cheaper to operate than conventional diesel buses.
Company estimates indicate that electricity costs for a bus operating on the Kigali–Rusizi route range between Rwf1.8 million and Rwf2 million per month. By comparison, a diesel bus serving the same route would incur fuel costs of approximately Rwf6 million monthly.
BasiGo currently has 52 electric buses on Rwandan roads and intends to expand the fleet to 100 units by the end of the year. Looking beyond Rwanda, the company plans to deploy 1,000 electric buses across East Africa over the next three years.
Each of the newly unveiled buses carries a price tag exceeding US$100,000. The vehicles are produced in partnership with a Chinese manufacturer, assembled in Nairobi, Kenya, and subsequently transported to Rwanda for deployment.
The expansion aligns with Rwanda’s broader strategy of promoting electric mobility to curb transport-related emissions while reducing the country’s fuel import costs.
