Sky Energy plans 100 electric taxis and 300 jobs in Malawi
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on The Nation Malawi
Sky Energy Africa is preparing an electric mobility network in Malawi involving 100 taxis, 40 fast-charging stations and around 300 jobs, according to the company founded by Schizzo Thomson. The scheme is due to launch for the company’s tenth anniversary and aims to reduce fuel imports and emissions, while its app will let users order an electric taxi from 1,000 kwacha per kilometre, The Nation Malawi reports.
Sky Energy Africa plans to deploy 100 electric taxis in the Malawian cities of Lilongwe, Mzuzu and Blantyre, creating around 300 jobs. The sustainable energy company, founded by entrepreneur Schizzo Thomson, announced the project as part of the launch of its electric mobility ecosystem, The Nation Malawi reports.
The Geely EX2 vehicles are expected to carry around 5,500 people a day. Sky Energy also plans to install 40 fast-charging stations. A full charge, for a stated range of 400 kilometres, costs nearly 5,000 Malawian kwacha in electricity; it could cost about 25,000 kwacha at the fast-charging stations planned for towns, petrol stations and shopping centres. The Sky e-Ride app will allow users to order a taxi from 1,000 kwacha per kilometre and show drivers which charging stations are available, with free access.
Schizzo Thomson believes electric vehicles could reduce the fuel import bill, estimated at $60 million a month, as well as emissions from fossil fuels. The Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority is working with neighbouring countries to develop regulations for electric vehicles and wants to integrate charging stations into existing and future petrol stations, its spokesperson Fitina Khonje said.
Malawi regularly receives imported fuel, including the 31 million litres of fuel received.
