African company Bako Motors aims to democratize environmentally friendly transportation and eliminate reliance on the power grid. As part of this initiative, the company has launched compact electric vehicles and vans powered by solar energy.
Unlike ambitious but costly projects, Bako offers a more pragmatic solution. The company estimates that rooftop solar panels can provide more than half of its daily energy needs.
According to founder Boubaker Siala, the B-Van commercial van can travel 50 kilometers per day (approximately 17,000 kilometers per year) powered solely by solar energy. It has a payload of 400 kg, a range of 100 to 300 kilometers, and starts at $8,500.
The Bee, a compact electric vehicle designed for daily urban commuting, has a range of 70-120 kilometers, a top speed of 44 km/h, and starts at $6,200. Next up is the X-Van, offering a more spacious interior. Drivers can use an external power source to charge their vehicles if needed, but the solar panels are sufficient for most daily needs.
The company plans to open a second, larger factory in 2026, producing up to 8,000 vehicles annually for Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
