Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia has announced advanced plans to procure and import 100 electric buses into Ghana by the end of the year.
Speaking at a meeting with the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), Dr. Bawumia highlighted this initiative as part of the government’s strategy to reduce carbon emissions, combat climate change, and address rising transportation costs.
The introduction of electric buses is set to be a public-private partnership.
Dr. Bawumia emphasized that the government will support the new fleet by constructing charging stations at various fueling locations.
“We are commencing the construction of charging stations because electric vehicles will need places to charge,” he stated, adding that these stations will be hybrid, using both solar power and electricity.
Dr. Bawumia pointed out the economic benefits of electric vehicles, noting that they do not consume fuel, which makes them less affected by fuel price fluctuations.
Additionally, electric vehicles have fewer spare parts, with the battery being the main component requiring maintenance, potentially reducing overall transport costs.
“When the price of fuel increases, it will not impact the price of electric vehicles,” he explained.
By the end of the year, the government aims to bring in nearly 100 electric buses to demonstrate their effectiveness and benefits to the public.
This initiative marks a significant step towards modernizing Ghana’s transportation infrastructure and promoting sustainable practices in the country.