Rwanda to introduce electric buses in capital city

By Xinhua)

KIGALI, June 23 (Xinhua) -- The Rwandan government has announced that it has signed an agreement with Africa's fuels and lubricants distributor, Vivo Energy, for the supply of over 200 electric buses to Kigali, Rwanda's capital.
   The agreement follows the completion of a feasibility study by Vivo Energy, in conjunction with the Ministry of Infrastructure and the City of Kigali, on the electrification of the public bus fleet in Kigali, according to a statement issued Thursday by the Rwanda Development Board (RDB).
   Vivo Energy Rwanda will procure the buses and build a charging and maintenance depot under the agreement.
   RDB chief executive Clare Akamanzi said the move will improve public transport in the capital city.
   "We very much welcome this partnership, which will improve our public transport as Kigali is a fast-growing city. We are committed to making this happen," she said in the statement.
   Hans Paulsen, Vivo Energy's executive vice president for East and Southern Africa, said the introduction of electric buses would help Kigali achieve its low-carbon goals and progress its electromobility plans.
   Kigali mayor Pudence Rubingisa said the authorities are committed to the project's success as it will ease public transport in the city.
   "Everything that's required for the seamless delivery and introduction of the electric buses will be in place in the coming months," he said.  Enditem