SA's First Electric Minibus taxi: Limpopo Drivers Test New Prototype
- A 15-seater electric minibus taxi prototype was presented to taxi drivers in Polokwane on 11 August for testing and feedback
- The vehicle, developed by Ikamva Consulting and FlxEV, can travel up to 250km on a single charge with recharging taking up to 8 hours
- Developers are conducting a nationwide consultation before finalising the design, with local manufacturing forming part of the long-term vision
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LIMPOPO — Taxi drivers in Polokwane received a first look at an electric minibus taxi prototype on Tuesday, 11 August, as developers seek industry feedback ahead of a possible rollout in South Africa's public transport sector.
According to Limpopo Chronicle, the showcase was organised for drivers affiliated with the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) in the Capricorn District. Drivers were invited to inspect the vehicle, complete a short test drive, and share their observations with the development team.
Electric taxi built for SA roads
The prototype was developed through a collaboration between Ikamva Consulting and FlxEV. The 15-seater vehicle is fully electric and can cover between 200km and 250km per charge, with the range varying according to passenger load, road conditions and driving speed. A full recharge takes between six and eight hours and can be done at home, shopping centres or dedicated charging points.
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Ikamva Consulting CEO Matsidikanye Moswane stressed that the vehicle is not yet a finished product, and that feedback from the taxi industry is central to the development process.
"This prototype vehicle is not a finished product. The reason why we are bringing it to the people and the industry is for them to give us inputs," Moswane said.
He confirmed that plans are being drawn up to install charging infrastructure at taxi ranks and other high-traffic locations to make the vehicles more viable for daily operators.
Local manufacturing on the horizon
The current prototype was imported from China. However, the long-term objective is to produce electric taxis locally, a move Moswane said could generate employment and reduce vehicle costs, provided adequate investment and support are secured.
At least one driver who took the prototype for a spin described the experience positively, though he raised concerns about the closed-window design and suggested the issue be resolved before the vehicle reaches final production.
A nationwide consultation is under way, with the development team gathering input from taxi industry stakeholders across the country before the final design is confirmed.
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Source: Briefly News
