The SolarTaxi Project - with Arnold Anokye Amoateng and Acapella Quaye | Episode 008

The Hive Tribe

We share with you the first part of our Conversation with Arnold Anokye, the Operations Manager for the Kumasi Branch of the SolarTaxi Project. We shared more on the Solar Powered Initiative and how it is taking part in the #Africa4CleanTransport Movement. The vehicles are quiet, sleek and most importantly, don't run on fuel.

In the conversation, we touched on the Kumasi Hive YouTube page (@KumasiHive) as well as the Shenzhen Ready-Made Design for Girls Training program that seeks to train 6 young entrepreneurs in up and coming technologies namely Artificial Intelligence, Web and Mobile Development, Graphic Design, Electronics, and Business Development. They have successfully started a company called Exiteck where they are into the Assembly, installation, monitoring and sale of IP Cameras.

On the SolarTaxi Project, Arnold speaks on what the SolarTaxi Project is all about and how the introduction of Electric Vehicles (Cars and Motobikes) were going a long way to cushion the transportation industry in terms of reducing the dangerous fumes released by fuel powered vehicles. These fumes cause pollution and contribute to global warming as well as has additional effects on our health and as such the need to introduce these vehicles.

On how it benefits the community, he explained that the vehicles being powered electrically helps but this time, they have built SolarHubs that are locally built solar panels connected to inverters and batteries to convert the trapped sun rays into electricity for charging the vehicles. These Solar Hubs then can be used to charge the vehicles saving us from using our electricity to charge the vehicles.

Being a country that finds ourselves in the tropics, there is an abundance of solar energy that we haven't harnessed to the best ability we can. Hence, the importance of using renewable energy in a country like Ghana so complement the electricity is supplied from our dam.

He further explained that the cars use no fuel whatsoever but have batteries that power the vehicles. They also come with air conditioning that helps keep you cool.

There are two business models that were tested during the piloting phase. The first being the delivery service (two-wheeled motorbike, tricycle, and car) that uses the SolarTaxi App that can be delivered to make an order for a service that would be delivered to you. The cost of delivery has been slashed in two comparing the normal rates that are charged by other service providers.

The vehicles can also be purchased when one fills a form on the SolarTaxi Website (www.solartaxi.co) or by walking into the SolarTaxi Offices based in both Accra and Kumasi. You are tasked to pay a commitment fee before the order is taken and then when the vehicle is delivered, the rest of the amount is settled or a payment plan is drawn for you to be able to settle the remaining amount. The car is being sold at GHS 25,000, the tricycle goes for GHS 8,000, the pragyia (covered tricycle) with solar pane is being sold at GHS 20,000, the motorbikes go for GHS 6000 and GHS 7000 depending on the sizes.

On charging when one is on a journey or finds himself or herself in town. He mentioned that there are different Charging stations situated in various parts of the city (Accra and Kumasi for now) for charging when your battery is running low. Lastly, he mentioned that there are plans in place o train engineers and mechanics to help fix the vehicles as and when the vehicles develop a fault.

Other mentions: Kantanka Automobile Company

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Beats by Bryan Stanley - souncloud.com/bryanstanley21

Hosted by Alexxa Walker and Koeman Tekpeh