Demonstration City: dar es salaam
Inform
The SOLUTIONSplus partners recognised a lack of data on the current fleet and usage of ICE bajajs, which would have significantly hindered the identification of appropriate charging and vehicle technologies, and therefore a robust transition to electric bajajs. As a result, the SOLUTIONSplus team undertook extensive data collection in 2021 and 2022 to assess the feasibility of electrifying e-bajajs in Dar es Salaam. This included GPS tracking, driver and user surveys, and careful analysis of operational and business strategies.
The resulting body of data was used to inform appropriate technical specifications for vehicles, charging infrastructure and operational strategies, with a focus on driver needs and preferences. This collaborative and inclusive approach was recognised as a positive case study in the global C40 publication ‘City guide for two and three-wheeler management and electrification’.
SOLUTIONSplus Dar es Salaam partners were informed about the modalities and characteristics of electric mobility through capacity building and knowledge products available on the SOLUTIONSplus online toolbox. In particular, several guides on the electrification of three-wheeled vehicles in Asia and electric bicycles have been integrated and used by the Dar es Salaam Living Lab partners, as these two types of vehicles are the core of the Dar es Salaam demonstration action.
Lastly, a thorough monitoring and impact assessment process was followed throughout the project lifetime, deriving a baseline, an ex-ante, ex-post and a scale-up scenario.
Inspire
In addition to the online e-mobility e-courses and resources available to all SOLUTIONSplus partners worldwide, stakeholders in Dar es Salaam benefited from several regional and city training sessions focusing on training topics identified as priority areas in 2020. Week-long training sessions covered EV charging infrastructure for all modes (2021), EV battery technologies and end-of-life management (2022), and electrification of public transport (2023).
A high-level E-Mobility Forum opened by the Delegation of the European Union to Tanzania was organised in 2023, gathering key Tanzanian and sub-Saharan stakeholders, providing an area for exchanges on e-mobility in Tanzania and Africa, and organising an EV Exhibition Fair. This was the first event on e-mobility in Dar es Salaam, raising large interest from decision-makers and the private sector.
Additionally, peer-to-peer exchanges were facilitated with stakeholders from the SOLUTIONSplus city network on electric three-wheelers. An exchange with Indian cities, which are more advanced in these vehicles, took place in July 2022. Partners from DART exchanged with Hamburg transport stakeholders on bus electrification and electric micromobility, as well as other demonstration actions partners across the globe, during the study visit in Hamburg in September 2022.
Initiate
Five local start-ups received financial and technical support in Dar es Salaam: four working on electric three-wheelers (DIT/Auto Truck, SESCOM, ZioTio UN Limited-TRI, Ekoglobe) and one local cooperative operating pedal-assist electric bicycles (FASTA).
The project followed a two-phase approach. Phase I focused on promoting local Research & Development, in the form of either ICE bajajs retrofitted to electric bajajs or prototypes of fully new electric bajajs. Vehicles were locally designed, manufactured, and assembled, using locally sourced materials or components as much as possible (2020-2023; DIT/Auto Truck and SESCOM for a total of 6 vehicles, including 4 retrofitted vehicles and 2 new prototypes). Phase II looked to expand the e-fleet with a total of 37 vehicles, locally designed and locally assembled, a progress compared to the mainstream practice of importing fully or semi-assembled vehicles previously (2023-2024; Ziotio Company-brand TRI and Ekoglobe). More information on the two phases is given in section “Implement”.
Alongside seed funding, SOLUTIONSplus provided technical advice support though consortium members or external EU organisations selected through EU matchmaking calls. In Dar es Salaam, start-ups received technical support on battery sizing and on the retrofitting process through the SOLUTIONSplus partner IDIADA and the Germany-based PEM Motion selected through an EU matchmaking call. In June 2024, a technical training programme on electric mobility for local technicians was organised by SOLUTIONSplus with DIT, EURIST and FABIO in Dar es Salaam.
With regards to electric bicycles, in the absence of local companies prototyping these vehicles, SOLUTIONSplus partners selected the German organisation EURIST during an EU matchmaking process. EURIST, working with the German company HNF Nicolai and the Uganda-based training organisation FABIO, provided electric bicycles. DIT staff and students were trained at DIT to a assemble, maintain, repair and use electric bicycles during three training sessions ranging from to a day to a full week, at regular intervals during the project. Through this process, EURIST transformed into a new company known as AfricroozE GmbH with an important market potential, now with 300 electric bicycles present in 8 African countries.
At the academic level, students of the Technical University of Berlin in developed a proposal for integrating three-wheelers into the BRT) system in collaboration with stakeholders from the city.
Implement
In the pursuit of sustainable and innovative transportation solutions, the SOLUTIONSplus Dar es Salaam concentrated on two key areas: transition towards electric three-wheelers in place of current ICE ones, and introduction of pedal-assist electric bicycles as a fully new mobility option in Dar es Salaam. The endeavor involved a multifaceted approach, encompassing the development of prototypes, local partnerships, and extensive data collection.
One key aspect of this initiative is the introduction of electric three-wheelers designed for passenger feeder services to the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. In total, SOLUTIONSplus enabled the roll-out of 43 electric three-wheelers in Dar es Salaam, deployed by four different companies. These electric three-wheelers are either retrofitted (converted) fossil-fuel bajajs into electric bajajs, or fully new electric three-wheelers. Hence, a wide range of vehicle designs and technologies were tested. The project carefully studied the patterns of ICE bajajs to identify the adequate combination of technical specifications – in particular, the battery capacity – and the charging strategy (SOLUTIONSplus Feasibility assessment to electrify feeder three-wheeled vehicles in Dar es Salaam, 2023). Lastly, all electric three-wheelers all use lithium-ion batteries, comparatively more performing than lithium-ion batteries, more adapted to the needs of the drivers of bajajs, and representing a shift away from other electric three-wheelers found using polluting and less efficient lead-acid batteries.
During Phase I focusing on promoting local Research & Development, two companies were financially supported by UN-Habitat. Auto Truck assembled two new electric bajajs and retrofitted one ICE bajaj at the Dar Institute of Technology (DIT). The collaboration with the DIT has provided strong local anchorage, enabling the assembly of vehicles and the training of engineering students. The vehicles have been tested and are undergoing the certification process with TBS for new vehicles, which will allow for registration with TRA and subsequent commercialisation.
Designs for the fleet application management system were developed in collaboration with the Kenyan branch of the hardware supplier Teltonika, a company based in Lithuania.
Another company, Sustainable Energy Services Company (SESCOM) retrofitted three ICE bajajs. After finalising a retrofitting manual and proceeding to the technical operational testing, the vehicles were tested and are currently undergoing the certification process by TBS. They will then be registered with TRA and LATRA Authorities and deployed along the Tangi Bovu – Goba route. This route connects to the Mbezi Mwisho BRT terminal, and to other minibus bus stops, such as the Ulomi bus stop.
During Phase II looking to expand the e-fleet locally assembled (2023-2024), Ziotio Company (brand TRI) and Ekoglobe were selected to provide additional vehicle design and charging approach, with seed funding provided by UEMI. Ziotio Company (brand TRI) is a company registered in Tanzania and with a holding in the Netherlands. Via SOLUTIONSplus, TRI deployed 20 electric bajajs of the E1 model using plug-in charging overnight and topped up during the day, and 5 further vehicles of the iterated bajaj model E2. In addition, TRI was selected by the DART Agency to install and operate four charging stations for electric three-wheeler at or near BRT stations, leaning on current feeder patterns and waiting points (see figure 4).
Ekoglobe follows an alternative and innovative approach of 10 electric bajajs and 2 electric bajajs used to dispatch charged batteries to drivers (mobile battery dispatching vehicles, a model deployed in India).
In addition to the electric three-wheeler project, SOLUTIONSplus introduced 16 pedal-assist electric bicycles designed for urban deliveries and the transportation of medical supplies. These vehicles were not present in Dar es Salaam prior to the project.
In 2022, the SOLUTIONSplus team collectively mapped needs and stakeholders, which led to identifying urban deliveries as the most promising use case for the electric bicycles. Partners identified potential receivers and established partnerships with the FASTA Cycling Cooperative and the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT). Co-designed by EURIST and the German company HNF Nicolai, these 16 electric bicycles and 5 additional batteries were shipped in October 2022. A three-day workshop held at the Dar Institute of Technology in November 2022 enabled to train DIT staff, students and FASTA cyclists for the first time on the use and the assembly of the electric bicycles. Participants assembled the electric bicycles before the official inauguration ceremony at the Aga Khan Hospital. Currently, the e-bikes are actively employed for transporting medical supplies on behalf of the Aga Khan Health Services, showcasing significant scale-up potential.
Realising that electric bicycles do not receive as much attention as other vehicles in Africa such as electric motorcycles, this pilot prompted SOLUTIONSplus partners to develop an Africa E-Bicycle Start-up Booklet disseminated by UNEP and receiving significant interest among African partners. In addition, the pilot has laid the foundation for a study in 2024 which identified high environmental and financial benefits of approaching aiming to replace conventional motorcycles with electric bicycles for urban deliveries in Dar es Salaam and the broader East African region.
Preliminary Results
Final Results
Impact
SOLUTIONSPlus paved the way for e-mobility solutions in Dar-es-Salaam by assessing the regulatory, fiscal, and market environment for the introduction of electric three-wheelers. Looking at the wider policy environment, SOLUTIONSplus identified barriers to the uptake of electric mobility jointly with the Africa E-Mobility Alliance. Leaning on this analysis, SOLUTIONSplus issued key recommendations for national and local policies. At national level, SOLUTIONSplus issued a policy paper on electric mobility policies in Tanzania, and a National Urban Mobility Policies and Investment Program. At local level, SOLUTIONSplus developed a City Roadmap identified pathways for sustainable and electric urban mobility in Dar es Salaam. Visibility on electric mobility was significantly increased through the high-level E-Mobility Forum, first event on e-mobility in Dar es Salaam, and EV Exhibition Fair.
The impact assessment, based on the UNEP E-Mob calculator indicates that the cumulative emission mitigation potential sums up to more than 43,000 tons CO2 between 2020 and 2050, and significant reduction of NOx and PM emissions, compared to a business-as-usual scenario. If by 2030, 70% of the three-wheelers that are sold are electric ones, CO2 emissions of the fleet could drop by 29%. Moreover, electrification could have a significant positive impact on the economy, particularly if local manufacturing and maintenance are considered.
Replication
SOLUTIONSplus partners engaged preparations for three key follow-up projects, sharing proposals for a follow-up project with the EU Delegation in Tanzania and ENABEL, and through the already approved eBRT2030 project, funded by Horizon Europe.
Achievements in Dar es Salaam
In Dar es Salaam, SOLUTIONSplus spearheaded significant advancements in promoting sustainable urban mobility. Among its notable achievements are the development of a collaborative Feasibility Assessment aimed at electrifying three-wheelers, the creation of two comprehensive electric mobility policy papers and the formulation of a National Urban Mobility Policies and Investments (NUMP) framework tailored to Tanzania’s context. These initiatives underscored the project’s commitment to addressing key challenges in urban transportation, fostering innovation and laying the groundwork for a more sustainable and efficient mobility ecosystem in the city.
Collaborative Feasibility Assessment developed for electrifying three-wheelers. • Policy Paper on E-Mobility Strategies in Tanzania • Formulation of a National Urban Mobility Policies and Investments (NUMP) framework for Tanzania. • Deployment of 43 electric three-wheelers in Dar es Salaam, including 25 by TRI and 12 by Eko globe. • Electric three-wheelers serve as feeder vehicles for the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. • Assembly and retrofitting of 6 vehicles by DIT/Auto Truck and Sustainable Energy Services Company (SESCOM) • Introduction of 16 pedal-assist electric bicycles, accompanied by 5 extra batteries. • Preparation for follow-up initiatives with the EU Delegation in Tanzania and participation in the EU R&D eBRT2030 project.
Prefeasibility Study
Following the pilot project of the FASTA bicycle cooperative, which uses electric bicycles for the delivery of medical supplies, maintenance materials and other goods, the SOLUTIONSplus project is set to explore the potential of expanding and scaling-up the use pedal-assist electric bicycles in Dar es Salaam.
The SOLUTIONSplus Urban Living Lab in Dar es Salaam is currently exploring the technical and financial feasibility of shifting from conventional motorcycles to electric bicycles for last-mile delivery and collection of goods. A key aspect of this effort is a pre-feasibility study, which includes a comprehensive assessment of the current state and needs of the urban logistics sector in the city.
To achieve this, the city team, consisting of UEMI, ITDP Africa and with close support from DART, has been conducting surveys among delivery drivers, businesses and residents in Dar es Salaam city centre. Research assistants in Dar es Salaam actively participated in this data collection for 10 days and gained valuable insights.
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E-mobility for last-mile connectivity
The demonstration project in Dar Es Salaam will focus on e-mobility for last-mile connectivity. The demonstration aims at integrating 60 electric feeder/e-3-wheeler and distribution services with Dar es Salaam’s BRT (DART) to support first/last mile connectivity. The e-3-wheelers (newly built 50 imported/provided by DART and 10 newly built with Valeo components), will be an integral part of public transport. Under SOLUTIONSplus, the deployment of e-3 wheelers will happen at 5 DART stations considering urban locations: a) in the city centre, where fossil-fuelled 3-wheelers are currently banned for environmental reasons and where accessibility to/from the BRT stations can be limited due to longer distances; b) in peri-urban areas where combustion-fuelled 3-wheelers are currently very common as feeder-modes. Also, a feasibility study on the electrification with respect to vehicle specifications (range, speed), charging infrastructure (type and location) will be carried out. As part of this, state-of-the-art data collection methods using geo-localization devices will be applied for a detailed derivation of the systems specifications. Subsequently, an implementation plan for the introduction of e-3-wheelers will be developed. This will follow a systemic approach and include the development of business models (vehicle ownership, rental schemes, and maintenance), the charging infrastructure and localisation.
Further aspects to be assessed under the demonstration relate to the battery type (fixed vs. battery swapping), ownership models (leasing/pay-per-use model), the use of existing telecom and power distribution boxes to accommodate vehicle charging, fleet bundling, and eco-routing. Interaction with the passengers and the system will be fostered through the SOLUTIONSplus-MaaS-smartphone application that will consider the growing smartphone ownership of Dar es Salaam’s population, to allow a maximum spread of the use and increase smart metering services. An open Application Program Interface (API) will be made available to allow 3rd-parties/software programmers to develop further services. The demonstration project will furthermore include local stakeholders as much as possible to increase the acceptance of the system: The current 3-wheeler market employs many people in Dar and the inclusion of current drivers will be a crucial target of the project. Furthermore, capacity building on sustainable maintenance of the vehicles will be carried out, building on the current structures of OEMs in Tanzania. Tanzania has already a high share of renewable energies through hydropower which will be used for the services.
Trends and drivers
Due to rapid urban growth and growing individual motorisation, the transport system in Dar Es Salaam suffers from chronic congestion. This has led Dar es Salaam City Council to introduce a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) scheme in 2016 (named DART). 140 fossil fuelled buses are currently running, connecting the city centre with the Western suburbs (phase 1). The existing BRT stations and terminals are therefore important transport hubs. Further plans include expansion to new routes and the addition of 150 buses, which could be powered by CNG. The city however also considers other sustainable solutions including electric mobility solutions (e.g. e-Feeder to BRT, e-BRT-Busses, e-bike sharing).
Apart from the BRT, public transport predominantly depends on a large fleet of privately-owned minibuses (so-called dala-dala), which are often not roadworthy and contribute to congestion and air pollution. In the medium to long term, public authorities envisage to phase-out the minibuses on all major roads and replace them with BRT buses. In addition to these bus services, motorised two- and three-wheeler taxis (moto-taxis) are very common since mid of the 2000s. They are being used by the population for shorter distances and they enable feeder-connectivity into DART and the paratransit-buses. In areas unserved by buses, motorcycle-taxis are the only publicly available mode of transportation and hence offer a de-facto public transport service filling a gap in the transport system. Despite these obvious benefits for peoples’ mobility, the two- and three-wheelers have contributed to increased pollution in the city with the transport sector contributing 57% of the total CO2 emissions from fuel combustion
Generally, the business models in the 3-wheeler-market have developed within the past 10-15 years and are well established. Hence, the current equilibrium between drivers, drivers’ associations and investors should be handled with care, as destroying these complex interrelations could decrease the acceptance and provoke resistance of those fearing to lose their source of income. Looking at the vehicles, the conventional 3-wheeler vehicle market is dominated by three manufacturers: the Indian brand TVS King, the Indian company Bajaj and the Italian company Piaggio.
Compared to 2-wheelers, 3-wheelers are more sustainable as they have the capacity to carry three passengers plus the driver and provide easier access for disabled persons. Apart from increasing mobility, 3-wheeler-motortaxi provide much-needed employment opportunities. Till date, the market had already created an estimate of about 50,000 direct jobs. The growth has been fuelled by a large number of mainly small-scale investors who offer vehicles to drivers who cannot afford their own vehicle. Besides a minor share of independent owner-drivers, the two- and three-wheeler market, therefore, is dominated by drivers who rent a vehicle or have a hire-purchase contract, where ownership of the vehicle is transferred from the initial owner/investor to the driver (typically) after 18 months. Recently, registered drivers’ associations have started copying these business models and provide vehicles for their members at better conditions.
With renewable electricity output currently at 43 % of total electricity output, the country’s aim is to increase its share of renewable energy production through increasing use of hydro-power, solar and other renewable energy sources. Dar Es Salaam is in nascent phase for EVs and no electric vehicles exist to-date, a feasibility study on the electrification with respect to vehicle specifications (range, speed), charging infrastructure (type and location) will be carried out first. As part of this, state-of-the-art data collection methods using geo-localization devices will be applied for a detailed derivation of the systems specifications. Subsequently, an implementation plan for the introduction of e-3-wheelers will be developed. This will follow a systemic approach and include the development of business models (vehicle ownership, rental schemes, and maintenance), the charging infrastructure and localisation.
Dar es Salaam - Electric bicycles to deliver medical parcels: multiple economics, health, and space benefits
On the 23rd of November, SOLUTIONSplus launched a pilot in Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) promoting pedal-assist electric bicycles for urban deliveries. These e-bikes will be used by the cycling cooperative FASTA to deliver packages in the city including medical parcels for the Aga Khan hospital. Leaning on the experience gathered by FASTA in the past few years with conventional bicycles, the e-bike pilot aims to increase the convenience of deliveries for the cooperative, give cyclists more visibility, and improve their business.
During the training and assembly workshop hosted by the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology Company Limited (DIT), the project partners EURIST and Fabio trained participants on how to use the e-bikes, before going into a two-day practical training on assembling the components to form the e-bike. Local assembly and the upgrading of maintenance skills is a key component of the pilot, enabled by the in-depth expertise of EURIST, FABIO and DIT.
The 6-month pilot has now started, during which the cyclists will benefit from the support of DIT providing storage of the e-bikes and charging of the batteries. GPS tracking and regular discussion with the cyclists will allow for continuous monitoring and sharing of learnings.
All partners are convinced of the major opportunities provided by e-bikes in cities: they enable more people to cycle - allowing active mobility and corresponding health benefits-, allow higher loads, longer trips, and are much more space-efficient than larger vehicles such as cars.