Presenting the ministry’s recurrent and development budget estimates for the 2025–2026 financial year this week, Communications and Innovation minister, David Tshere stated that Cabinet is expected to deliberate on the submitted recommendations, which will shape the next steps of the eMobility Programme.
"Since its launch during the 2021–2022 financial year, the programme has attracted substantial investments, with P130.7 million already expended since inception and an additional P103.7 million utilised during the ongoing 2024–2025 financial year," he said.
The review comes as Botswana’s electric mobility sector positions itself as a key driver in the country’s transition towards sustainable and modern transport solutions.
The Electric Mobility Programme forms part of national efforts to reduce carbon emissions, modernise public transportation, and promote Botswana’s shift towards cleaner energy in the transport sector.
Last year, government unveiled the country’s first locally assembled Electric Vehicle (EV), alongside plans to establish a dedicated EV assembly plant. The factory premises, which are owned by a private entity, have been rented by government primarily for the assembly of electric vehicles under the eMobility Programme.
"The vehicles were procured by the Botswana Institute for Technology Research and Innovation (BITRI) in accordance with a Presidential Directive. “Notably, BITRI falls under the authority of the Ministry of Communications and Innovation, which was assigned to manage the eMobility project. “The fleet currently consists of 33 electric buses and 20 SUVs," Tshere said.
At the time of the launch last year, it was revealed that the programme would be implemented in three distinct phases. The first phase focused on capacity-building, with over 100 people already trained.
The second phase was to centre on retrofitting existing vehicles with electric powertrains, whilst the third and final phase was to establish a dedicated EV assembly plant. The plant will engage private sector partners to scale up production and accelerate the adoption of e-mobility solutions.
By October last year, the programme was said to be in the semi-knockdown stage, with a long-term vision of transitioning to a complete knockdown process. This will allow more components to be manufactured locally, creating a regional value chain that will stimulate economic growth and generate more employment opportunities.
The electric SUVs under the programme are equipped with a powerful 150-kilowatt motor, delivering a peak torque of 320 Newton metres 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.
In a significant technological milestone, the electric SUVs can be fully recharged from zero to full in just 20 minutes using fast-charging systems, reflecting the government’s push towards a modern, efficient transport infrastructure.
