Kiira Motors Kayoola EV completes 13,700+ km journey from Uganda to South Africa.
The 13,700+ km Journey πΊπ¬β‘οΈπΏπ¦
In a historic feat for African innovation, Kiira Motorsβ Kayoola Electric Coach (the 13-metre 2025 model) has driven exactly 13,784 km across six countries (Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Botswana, Eswatini, and South Africa) and back, under the banner βFrom the Pearl to the Capeβ.
How was it charged through the journey?
A dedicated advance team scouted and set up charging spots along the route, as no existing public fast-charging network could reliably support a heavy-duty electric bus with a 422 kWh Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery pack. The Kayoola demonstrated real-world capability with an impressive ~500 km range per charge and a remarkably low average consumption of 0.79 kWh/km.
Hereβs a video featuring Eng. Fred Matovu sharing key technical challenges in conducting this expedition midway through the 40-day expedition:
Weβve covered 2,370 km thanks to the charging infrastructure supporting our electric journey.
— ππ’π’π«π ππ¨ππ¨π«π¬ (@KiiraMotors) November 28, 2025
Eng. Fred Matovu @fdxmat shares key challenges and opportunities in building Africaβs EV ecosystem. #WeBuiltTomorrow#FromThePearlToTheCape pic.twitter.com/mWhEg6agdj
Pushing the Limits of Electric Mobility
The expedition was a rigorous stress test of battery performance across varying altitudes (like the 2,300m Tanzanian highlands), thermal management in varying climates, and smart-connectivity monitored live in partnership with MTN.
The Economics and Impact
The numbers speak for themselves:
- π Energy Consumed: 10,904 kWh
- π’οΈ Fuel Saved: 5,189 liters of diesel
- π° Cost Savings: ~UGX 14.4 million (~$3,900 USD)
- π Emissions Avoided: Over 6 tonnes of CO2
A Landmark Deal for African EV Manufacturing
The bus completed the expedition with only one minor safety incident, proving the unmatched reliability of Ugandan-engineered electric mobility. And the journey has already borne fruit: a major South African transport operator, Golden Arrow, signed a landmark deal reportedly worth around $150 million for 450 Kayoola E-Coaches.
This is what Made in Africa looks like: solving African problems with African solutions while proving that our sustainable future is homegrown.
Key highlights from the expedition:
- The 13m Kayoola Electric Coach that completed the journey
Meet the 13 Metre Kayoola Electric Coach The King of the African Highway.
— ππ’π’π«π ππ¨ππ¨π«π¬ (@KiiraMotors) March 2, 2026
53β65 seats | Executive comfort | WiFi | CCTV | Fridge | Fully customizable.
Learn more: https://t.co/1KGbN8WkSC
Fun fact: This coach traversed 13,000+ km. From the Pearl to the Cape. pic.twitter.com/dy2iMWBAdS
Additional shots highlighting the bus
Two more 13m Kayoola Electric Coaches delivered to @UgandaCAA. Fleet now at 5 buses.
— ππ’π’π«π ππ¨ππ¨π«π¬ (@KiiraMotors) March 26, 2026
13,000km. Uganda to South Africa. Proven performance.
The King of the African Highway.
Built in Uganda. Ready for Africa and beyond.
For fleet and partnership inquiries:
π© [email protected] pic.twitter.com/yhfeKHBD0H
Related Concepts & Posts
The following cards provide further definitions of concepts discussed above, and possible links to related posts.
What is Kiira Motors?
Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) is a State Enterprise in Uganda established to champion value addition in the domestic automotive industry. They are pioneers in building electric and solar-powered vehicles in Africa.
Uganda's Role in EV Innovation
Uganda has been rapidly advancing in electric mobility, investing heavily in infrastructure and local manufacturing to produce vehicles like the Kayoola E-Coach that are built specifically for African roads and conditions.
