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Smooth, quiet and most importantly, environment-friendly, there is no denying that electric cars are the future. With around 6.6 million electric vehicles (EVs) sold in 2021 representing twice the amount of sales in the previous year, it is safe to say that the market for emission-free means of transportation is on the rise. Whether fully-electric, hybrid or retrofitted, EVs have come a long way to offer the world with an efficient solution to reduce its impact (‘reduce impact’) on global warming.
Fossil fuels and the spread of motorcars may have revolutionized transportation and our lives, but at what cost? On our never-ending quest for expansion, development and discovery, the current and past generations have put aside slowly arising environmental concerns which now cannot be ignored.
Awareness about global warming and the point of no return is greater than ever. Thanks to the media, social networks and more, large corporations and individuals alike are encouraged and sometimes pressured to take actions to reduce their impact on the environment, greenhouse gas production and as far as possible implement renewable energy solutions along the different steps of the chain.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency recently published a report allocating 27% of greenhouse gas emitted in 2020 in the U.S. to the transportation sector. This is roughly around up to 1,615 Million Metric tons of CO2 in the U.S. alone.
Due to the emergence of efficient electric cars and renewable energy solutions, overall emission has been on a slow decline for the past years, a trend we all hope to see spread further over the coming years.
While most people may think that electric transportation is the brand new outcome of recent research and development (R&D), the first electric car was actually introduced over a 100 years ago. Although not as practical, fast or efficient as the improved models we now benefit from, this revolutionary fossil paved the way to the electric car as we know it today.
Slowly but surely, Africa has started making a name for itself in the R&D of green energy solutions. Already well-established in the solar power department, multiple African countries have also begun to shift their focus to electric transportation as a way of reducing their carbon emission and catering for a burgeoning market.
Highly focused on slowing their impact on global warming, the African continent is awakening to the possibility of electric vehicles with multiple businesses considering switching their fleets or start-up companies actively invested in the manufacture of EVs. Up to date, around 19 countries, including Tanzania, with the help of the UNEP and its Global E-Mobility Programme, have allocated part of their Global Environment Facility funds to the expansion of electric mobility and developed different policies and systems favorizing the switch.
Kenya recently announced that its national parks and game reserves will only allow non-fossil fuels to access its national parks and game reserves by 2023. This is a massive initiative because it will force most safari companies to go towards the directions of electric cars. These kinds of initiatives are effective because it pushes big team players in the tourism industry to lead by example.
E-Motion was born in 2018 from the collaboration of Hanspaul Automechs Limited, GadgetroniX, and Carwatt. Later in 2022 Arusha Technical College joined as an educational partner. This company was founded with a vision to change the future of transportation in Tanzania. All pioneers and masters in their respective fields, the three companies joined forces to bring to the table their unique and essential experience in renewable energy, manufacturing and the conversion of transport vehicles from combustion to electric.
As one of the largest markets for second-hand cars, the retrofitting of traditional vehicles is the perfect solution for countries of Africa. By converting a car, truck or bus from a typical fuel engine to an electric counterpart, Africa unlocks the doors of eco-friendly, emission-free transportation at affordable prices while ensuring the reusability of available resources.
While our desire to switch to electric and reduce our impact on the environment is applaudable, our way of making this switch may not yet be optimal. Yes, trading your traditional fossil fueled car for a hybrid or fully electric model is a step in the right direction, however, when extrapolated to a larger scale, this may result in a significant waste.
What would happen if we all ditched our fossil fuel means of transportation for a new green and clean one? The millions of traditional cars produced in the past decades would mostly end up rotting in landfills and causing a serious waste of valuable resources and space.
To counter this issue, multiple electric solution companies have investigated the reusability of our regular cars in the process of switching to electric. Hence, the birth of retrofitting.
Retrofitting refers to the practice of changing parts of a petrol or diesel vehicle and replacing them with the proper elements for an electric system. Different parts need to be removed to allow the conversion of your existing vehicle into an eco-friendly alternative and offer it a brand new life.
For example, the retrofitting of a traditional diesel vehicle will require the removal of the combustion engine, the exhaust system and the fuel tank to be replaced by an electric motor, a power distribution system, batteries and a battery charger. Once these changes are done, you will be able to silently enjoy your favourite car without a slight guilt associated with your past carbon emissions.
Electric vehicles are incredibly easy to drive. Simply press the power button and you are set for a smooth and soundless journey through roads and the wild alike.
Vehicles provided by E-Motion are both water and dust resistant (IP 67 Standards) allowing you to go where most cannot. Offering all the advantages of your traditional vehicle without the negative impact of daily carbon emission, retrofitted vehicles are as sturdy and reliable as they come.
Electric vehicles are almost silent compared to traditional combustion engines. So much so, that some countries such as the EU have declared all electric cars require speakers imitating the sound of motor vehicles as a way of alerting pedestrians, cyclists and other cars in rural areas.
Without the deafening roar of the engine, electric cars are a perfect option for safaris and drives in the savannah. Clients can now enjoy the full safari experience and even get closer to some animals without the risk of disturbing or scaring them away. A win-win for all involved, the animals get to go on with their lives peacefully, tour operators limit (‘get rid of’) their carbon footprints, and visitors are able to appreciate the tranquility and atmosphere of the savannah.
Some animals have extremely acute hearing, meaning that sounds may feel twice or even three times louder than to humans. Game drives in traditional vehicles are hard as the wildlife can hear the truck coming from a mile away and the engine may actually be hurting their sensitive ears. Electric and retrofitted vehicles thus contribute to the preservation and tranquillity of the animals and environment.
With recent advancements in energy storage, electric vehicles are now incredibly fast charging for optimal usage. In just a few hours, your car is fully loaded and ready to carry you throughout your daily activities, trips and excursions. Some vehicles can also be fitted with solar panels which help charge up as you go about your day.
Simply plug in your car into the power and allow it to automatically power up. Beyond the conversion of traditional vehicles to EVs, E-Motion is also planning the implementation of a network of charging stations strategically located in areas where travellers can relax and take a break as they “fuel up”.
Solar powered charging stations will even be available at different spots within Tanzania’s National Parks, while other grid-connected charging ports will be set up in towns.
Companies and individuals are set to save a fortune in terms of fuel, maintenance and even breakdowns. While these past months have demonstrated just how unstable the price of fuel can be , retrofitting your vehicle can ensure you don’t ever need to worry about the dynamic fluctuations of fuel prices.
For companies which require a lot of transportation for visits, deliveries or even corporates granted office cars, switching to an electric car may be just the way to demonstrate their engagement towards the planet. Multiple individuals nowadays are greatly influenced by eco-friendly initiatives when deciding the different types of businesses to deal with.
Maybe you have considered switching to electric vehicles for some time but the investment of swapping a whole fleet of traditional cars for a green alternative has seemed daunting. Then retrofitting is the perfect option for you, maintaining all the best advantages of your existing fleet with the added bonus of zero carbon emission.
Eco-tourism in Africa has always been on the rise due to its exceptional wildlife diversity and unique scenery. Millions pour into the continent every year in hopes of witnessing the Great Wildebeest Migration, spotting a pride of lions or an elephant cub among so many others. However, game drives and car rides in the national parks have not always been as environmentally conscientious as they should be.
The use of combustion vehicles during the drives make for a noisy safari which often disturbs the tranquility of the fauna and releases a considerable amounts of carbon dioxide into the environment on a daily basis. A retrofitted or electric car gives you a competitive advantage in the eco-tourism department by unlocking this extra edge. Give your passengers the experience they are looking for by limiting the environmental impacts of their travels and offering them a soundless and immersive journey into the wilderness, closer that most are able to go.
Let’s have a look under the hood! Visit our team at E-Motion for an honest talk about the implications and advantages of retrofitting. Let’s discuss your switch to zero-emission.