Gov't e-mobility assembly plant completed
Pauline Dikuelo | Wednesday June 4, 2025 11:41
Officials said the facility, which is dedicated to assembling electric SUVs and buses, was completed in April and has already produced 68 vehicles. Accounting Officer, Kgakgamatso Ketshabang, told the Committee last week the plant has assembled 35 electric SUVs and 33 electric buses to date. He explained that both vehicle parts and the assembly equipment were ordered simultaneously, but the vehicles arrived first in January. 'Vehicles arrived first in January, then we had to wait for the plant which also arrived in January,' he said. 'However, we could not begin operations until the car assembly line was fully set up. Upon completion of the plant in April, we then started assembling the cars,' he reported.
The vehicles were procured by the Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation (BITRI) in accordance with a Presidential directive. Official data shows that the cost of assembling each electric vehicle stands at $34,000 (or P460, 000). Although there is ongoing work at the facility, Ketshabang revealed that the plant is already operational and currently employs 14 staff members, comprising four engineers and 10 technicians. Amongst the 33 buses assembled so far, one has been designated as a prototype for testing and experimentation purposes. The electric SUVs are equipped with a powerful 150 kilowatt motor, delivering a peak torque of 320 Newton meters and offering an impressive travel range of approximately 520 kilometres on a full charge. The electric town buses can travel up to 250 kilometres before requiring a recharge. The electric SUVs can be fully charged from zero to full in just 20 minutes using fast charging systems, reflecting the government's push towards modern, efficient transport infrastructure.
The establishment of the e-mobility assembly plant is part of Botswana’s broader efforts to transition to a low carbon economy and embrace green industrialisation. The government, through its National Development Plan and in alignment with Vision 2036, has identified renewable energy and sustainable transportation as key pillars in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fostering economic diversification. E-mobility solutions, particularly electric vehicles (EVs), are gaining momentum globally as countries seek alternatives to fossil fuels. In Botswana, the adoption of EVs is expected to help cut down on fuel imports, lower transportation emissions, and stimulate the growth of new sectors such as battery production, charging infrastructure, and green jobs. The government’s investment in EV assembly infrastructure marks a bold step towards developing local capacity in vehicle manufacturing while positioning the country as a potential player in the regional e-mobility value chain.