Call for Expressions of Interest
SOLUTIONSplus Kigali - Call for Proposals
Opening of the call: October 9th, 2023
Closing of the call: October 23rd, 2023 - 11:59 pm (CET)
SOLUTIONSplus is an EU-funded flagship project, bringing together 48 international partners that was launched in January 2020 and has a duration of 4 years. The project aims to boost sustainable electrification of transport in large urban areas in developing countries and emerging economies. The project is coordinated by the Urban Electric Mobility Initiative, a UN-Habitat Action Platform and this call for replication cases is co-facilitated by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
SOLUTIONSplus brings together highly committed cities, industry, research, implementing organizations and finance partners and establishes a global platform for shared, public and commercial e-mobility solutions to kick start the transition towards low-carbon urban mobility. The project encompasses city level demonstrations to test different types of innovative and integrated e-mobility solutions, complemented by a comprehensive toolbox, capacity development and replication activities. Demonstration actions have been launched in Hanoi (Vietnam), Pasig (Philippines), Lalitpur/Kathmandu (Nepal), Kigali (Rwanda), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Quito (Ecuador), Montevideo (Uruguay), Madrid (Spain), Nanjing (China) and Hamburg (Germany). More information about the SOLUTIONSplus demonstration projects is available on the project website: https://www.solutionsplus.eu/living-labs
SOLUTIONSplus – Kigali Demonstration Action
In Kigali, SOLUTIONSplus is supporting first- and last-mile connectivity by promoting electric two-wheelers providing feeder services to the public transport system. This takes the form of electric motorcycle-taxis, an electric bikeshare system, and bike racks. The project also assists with the development of a master plan for e-bus charging in the city.
In the second half of 2022, the SOLUTIONSplus partners City of Kigali and ITDP initiated preparation of a charging master plan for e-buses. The master plan focuses on establishing the electric energy required to charge the fleet for the pilot e-buses; the location and technology of the chargers; and the set of routes that could be considered in the pilot phase. The study will also propose the business models that might be most suitable for the city.
The objective of this Call for Proposals is to support the electric buses component in Kigali, by introducing pilot electric buses in Rwanda and providing data that is key to planning the deployment of electric buses at a larger scale.
The SOLUTIONSplus project will make available up to EUR 30,000 for selected private entities (including start-ups), NGOs, research institutions active in electric mobility and able to cover both components 1 and 2:
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Component 1: implement a trial program with electric buses in Kigali. This pilot should indicate technical and commercial assumptions used as a hypothesis, and findings identified during the pilot that will serve as the basis for determining the final product specifications, leasing arrangements, and market pricing.
The pilot shall start in Kigali with deployed buses by 31.12.2023 latest.
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Component 2: share the following data with SOLUTIONSplus:
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Characteristics of the electric buses:
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Specifications for the electric buses, and comparison with technical specifications of internal combustion engines
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Specifications for electrical connections and chargers used to charge the buses
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Deployment area and impact of charging at the depot/terminal (location, arrangement with depot owner, any space adaptation required and related investment)
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Detailed data on bus operations (daily; submitted at the end of the calendar month or upon request by UEMI)
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GPX tracks for all bus trips incorporating the instantaneous time, date, location, speed, elevation, and state of charge (SOC)
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GIS layers for the routes operated by the electric buses
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Summary statistics (daily; submitted at the end of the calendar month or upon request by UEMI)
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Route length
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Trips per day per bus
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Km per day per bus
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Dead km per day per bus
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Charging time and power per bus
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Maximum and minimum SOC during operations
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Boardings per bus
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Average occupancy (if available from passenger counters)
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Revenue per bus
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Average power consumption per km
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Final report (due 30.03.2024)
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Performance of electric buses in comparison to current internal combustion engine buses in Kigali in terms of mileage, efficiency, reliability, operating schedule, ridership, fare revenue, and emissions of CO2 and local pollutants
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Learnings gathered during the pilot on opportunities and potential barriers. This shall touch upon, but not be limited to: feedback from passengers and operators, application of any innovative financial models, and potential issues with regard to the electrical grid’s stability.
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Learnings gathered during the pilot on future adaptation of the characteristics of the electric buses and operations, including optimal charging strategy and technical specifications for a scaled deployment of electric buses in Kigali.
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Eligibility of replication funds
Private entities (including start-ups), NGOs, and research institutions. Entities are welcome to form consortiums to apply for the call. However, if selected, the contract will be signed with the lead partner.
The funds provided through this SOLUTIONSplus Call for Proposals can be used to:
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Procure equipment for the pilot implementation of the electric mobility demonstration projects. Demonstration projects that include locally assembled or manufactured e-mobility equipment/solutions will be prioritised. Demonstration projects that include EU components or partnership with EU-based organisations will be prioritised.
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Cover staff time for the design, implementation and evaluation of the electric mobility demonstration action, in particular for the data analysis in Component 2.
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Cover the cost of communication and dissemination materials about the electric mobility demonstration projects.
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Carry out feasibility assessments.
All funds received will need to be complemented by co-finance committed by the company in the form of cash and in-kind contributions (including staff time and other contributions such as office space, materials etc.).
Project proposal requirements
The project proposal should provide the information required in the following template:
Evaluation criteria
The project proposal will be assessed through the following criteria and weights:
Submission Requirements and Guidelines
Please return your application to opencall@uemi.net by October 23rd, 2023 at 11:59 pm (CET).
For further information or enquiries please do not hesitate to contact us at oliver.lah@uemi.net and emilie.martin@wupperinst.org, no later than October 16th at 11:59 pm (CET). Answers will be made available on the SOLUTIONSplus website to ensure equality of access to information between applicants, provided it does not involve business sensitive information. No extension of the deadline for submission of applications will be granted on the basis or grounds that UEMI has not responded to or provided any clarification to any question.
FAQ
1. The SolutionsPlus contribution of 30.000€ is less than the acquisition cost of one electric bus. This contribution is meant as a financial top-up adding to the applicant’s own contribution, or to funding from other sources. SolutionsPlus partners will not cover the remaining cost of providing the electric bus(es) to be used in the pilot.
2. The call has 31/12/2023 as the latest deployment date for the electric buses. SolutionsPlus partners will not provide the electric buses, which are under the responsibility of the applicant.
3. There is no minimum number of electric buses or routes.
4. The specifications of the data collection and/or monitoring equipment to be installed on the electric buses to fulfill Component 2 must be indicated by the applicant.
5. The funding call does not stipulate any ownership or operational model. The applicant is responsible for indicating this information in its application.