Kayoola Bus EV: Kiira’s Prototype Electric/Solar Hybrid Full Bus Specifications

We covered The Kayoola Bus Test Drive at the beginning of February and also the small unfortunate mishap a fortnight later. Before that we wrote about the Kiira EV, soon to hit the manufacturing stage. We will now write about a short back story and provide specifications of the Kayoola Bus which has the entire continent excited as to the future prospects of such projects in Africa and and the world.

Kayoola is named after a Luganda word which literally means ‘carry-all’. The 35-seater solar-powered prototype – the first of its kind in Africa – started out as a Makerere University project at the Center for Research in Transportation Technologies(CRTT)  back in 2007, culminating into the success story it is today in such a relatively short space of time.

The Future
The development of the Kayoola Solar Bus Concept
represents the commitment of the Kiira Motors Project
to championing the progressive development of local
capacity for Vehicle Technology Innovation in Uganda

The Kayoola bus sports a silver shield-shaped grill inlaid with Uganda’s national bird, the Crested Crane also serving as the Kayoola mascot and logo. The interior is fitted with comfy seats that have enough leg room and coupled with the absence of the usual vibrations from regular diesel engines provides for a smooth tranquil ride.

The price of fossil fuel being what it is and non-renewable to boot means that there will come a point in time when it will become a scarce commodity further driving demand for cleaner renewable fuel alternatives.

The Kayoola Bus uses 100% renewable energy and takes advantage of the ever abundant sunshine to power the solar powered batteries that supplement the engine requirements. Say no more to the not-so-cheap routine fuel system servicing synonymous with diesel and petrol engines. With the right charger, the bus can be plugged into your wall socket as easy as plugging in your Smartphone. Charging takes 1 hour.

The allure of riding in a bus that has zero greenhouse gas emissions is too hard to ignore. Public transport has for long been characterised by toxic fumes and dust pervading the air. Anybody in their right frame of mind would jump at the opportunity to experience something new.

We have tabulated the full Kayoola EV Bus specifications below.These are the bells and whistles under the hood that make this unique bus tick.

Image: New Vision