Malawi unveils inaugural electric vehicle, Citroen e-C3
Malawi’s energy technology start-up, Sky Energy Africa—led by 33-year-old entrepreneur Schizzo Thomson—on Friday introduced the nation’s inaugural electric vehicle (EV), the Citroen e-C3, to the market.
This development represents a significant stride towards curtailing fuel consumption in the country.
During the launch held at Game Haven in Bvumbwe, Thyolo, Thomson underscored that although the EVs are economically accessible, it is imperative to address the foreign exchange hurdles to ensure a consistent supply of EVs on the market.
He said: “Our intended audience encompasses the general public and corporate entities; we leave no one behind. Nonetheless, we necessitate support from governmental structures and financial institutions to ensure that everyone can readily embrace this technology, and that every Malawian can seamlessly adopt it.”
Thomson emphasised that by embracing EVs, outlays on fuel and vehicles would be curtailed, as it takes a minimum of 15 years to offset the foreign exchange expenditure from the day the car is purchased. He also articulated an audacious vision for the future, noting, “We are envisioning the assembly of these vehicles by 2030 and their domestic production by 2060.”
The Citroen e-C3, which is exempt from import duties, necessitates a mere £5 for charging and delivers a range of 300 kilometres (km).
The vehicle is available at a base price of £10 000 (approximately K12 million), contingent on specifications.
The vehicle boasts a robust 136 horsepower (100KW), a range of 200 miles or 320km on a single charge, and accommodates both standard AC charging and DC fast charging.
It accelerates from 0 to 100 km per hour in 8.9 seconds and incorporates modern infotainment features, comfortable seating, and an impeccably designed cabin.
Minister of Energy Ibrahim Matola commended the launch as a commendable intervention that will assist the country in diminishing its reliance on fuel imports.
He underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to supporting policies associated with electric vehicles and urged the private sector to facilitate the entry of budding innovators and entrepreneurs into the market.
As per the International Energy Agency, the electric vehicle market has witnessed exponential growth, with sales surpassing 10 million in 2022.
The proportion of electric cars in total sales has tripled in three years, escalating from roughly 4 percent in 2020 to 14 percent in 2022. The projection for 2023 envisages continued robust sales, with an anticipated 14 million in sales by year-end, signifying a 35 percent year-on-year surge.
In line with present trends, the adoption of electric vehicles is positioned to diminish the requisite daily consumption of oil by 5 million barrels by 2030.
