Botswana to start full production of own electric cars by August 2021
London, April 1, 2021 (AltAfrica)-Botswana is expected to start full production of electric cars in August this year courtesy of Baylee Enterprises (Pty) Ltd, a private company headquartered in Botswana’s capital city Gaborone,
Peggy Serame, Botswana’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, said the company is currently importing electric motors and other parts needed to assemble the electric cars in the southern African country.
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“The company is planning to start full production by August 2021,” Serame made the announcement in parliament while answering a question from a fellow legislator who wanted an update on the development and production of electric cars.
According to Serame, the company has developed the prototype of the electric car and it is currently undergoing compliance process with relevant stakeholders including Botswana’s Department of Road, Transport and Safety.
Serame said the electric car will go a long way in ensuring that there will be less air pollution in Botswana.
According to a Journal of Health and Pollution published late last year, Botswana is ranked amongst the most polluted countries with serious air pollution, despite a population of just over two million people.
If the August target is achieved, Botswana will become the second African country after Rwanda to manufacture electric cars on the African continent
The production of electric cars in Rwanda is a partnership between Volkswagen and Siemens under a pilot project.
The vehicles have been christened e-Golf making Rwanda the first African country where electric cars are being tested and assembled by Volkswagen.
