The Ministry of Infrastructure has instructed public institutions that at least 30% of the new vehicles they procure must be electric, as part of efforts to reduce dependence on petrol and diesel and cut greenhouse gas emissions.
The measure aims to implement Rwanda’s target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 38% by 2030. Vehicles are estimated to contribute about 12% of the country’s total emissions.
Among the strategies adopted is the use of electric vehicles in public transport. In the City of Kigali, the number of electric buses is increasing, alongside electric motorcycles.
The letter states: “All public institutions are required to ensure that at least 30% of newly procured vehicles are electric, starting from the date this letter was signed. This is one of the ways to reduce emissions, lower reliance on petroleum products, and promote sustainable and clean transport.”
The Ministry of Infrastructure emphasized that all institutions must comply with the 30% electric vehicle procurement requirement, prioritizing electric options where numbers are small.
It added, “Where calculations result in less than one vehicle or require rounding, electric vehicles must be prioritized. Any deviation from this directive must be justified and receive prior approval from the Ministry of Infrastructure.”
Data shows that 43% of vehicles imported into the country are hybrid.
In 2021, Rwanda imported 2,084 buses; in 2022, imported 2,287; and in 2023, were 2,892 indicating an annual growth rate of 17.8% in bus imports.
Electric vehicles available in Rwanda include models from manufacturers such as Kia and Hyundai from South Korea, as well as Chinese brands like BYD and Dongfeng, along with Nissan and Toyota models such as the RAV4.
By 2024, Rwanda had 512 fully electric vehicles, in addition to 7,172 hybrid vehicles.
These figures do not include electric buses.
The government recently acquired 300 buses for use in Kigali’s public transport system, some of which are electric.
Currently, the public transport company has announced that trips from Kigali International Airport to various hotels will soon be operated exclusively using electric vehicles.
