Pearl to Cape electric expedition crosses 81pc mark as Kayoola E-Coach delivers hard performance data

December 22, 2025 in Companies, Science and Technology, Transport, Travel & Tourism by Editor

Uganda’s Pearl to Cape electric expedition has crossed the 81 percent mark after the locally manufactured Kayoola E-Coach covered more than 11,000 kilometres across East and Southern Africa, delivering real-world data on cost savings, emissions reduction and long-haul electric viability.

Uganda’s Pearl to Cape Electric Expedition has reached a major milestone after the Kayoola E-Coach rolled into Mpika, Zambia, having covered 11,277 kilometres of the planned 13,000-kilometre round trip.

The expedition, which departed Kampala on November 20, is designed to test the commercial and operational viability of electric long-haul transport across Africa’s most demanding road networks. Mpika lies along Zambia’s Great North Road, a critical freight and passenger corridor linking Southern and East Africa.

According to expedition data, the electric coach has consumed 8,988.6 kilowatt-hours of energy to date, while avoiding an estimated 4,943.73 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions compared to a diesel equivalent. Fuel cost savings have exceeded UGX 10.9 million, based on prevailing regional diesel prices.

The figures were generated under real operating conditions, including high-temperature zones, mountainous terrain, congested urban centres and extended highway runs. Border crossings and traffic delays, typically associated with high fuel consumption for diesel vehicles, have had a limited impact on energy use, as the electric drivetrain consumes no traction power while stationary.

The Kayoola E-Coach 13M Model 2025 is manufactured by Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) in Jinja and is positioned as a commercial vehicle rather than a prototype. The expedition therefore functions as a rolling validation exercise, feeding performance data directly into product development and operational modelling.

Energy consumption rates have varied with terrain, with higher usage recorded during steep climbs and lower rates on long, flat highway segments. Project engineers say the results allow fleet operators to model routes, charging schedules and cost structures with greater precision than previously possible in African conditions.

“On December 2, the team achieved a logistical milestone by completing the 431-kilometre Francistown–Gaborone stretch on a single charge,” said Kiira Motors Corporation Chief Executive Officer Paul Isaac Musasizi. “This is the longest single segment recorded in the dataset. Energy consumption fell to an impressive 0.70 kWh per kilometre, reflecting a deliberate strategy to operate at lower, more efficient cruising speeds to preserve range over extended distances.”

The expedition has also drawn attention to policy and infrastructure considerations. While charging has been successfully managed across multiple national grids, border delays at major transit points highlighted the need for streamlined procedures if electric mobility is to scale across the continent. Industry observers say the data could inform future discussions on expedited cross-border movement for low-emission transport under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.

The Pearl to Cape expedition is expected to complete its 13,000-kilometre round trip in the coming weeks. Upon completion, Kiira Motors and government stakeholders say the full dataset will be released to support investment decisions, regulatory planning and fleet adoption across public transport, tourism and logistics sectors.