Clean Transition

9 May 2022

Chinese electric vehicle maker powers Rwanda’s green push while imparting fresh skills to local engineers
by Arafat Mugabo

TAILG scooters on display at an expo in China. TAILG is one of the major scooter manufacturers in China (VCG)

Ladislas Iyambere, a 26-year-old, is one of 20 Rwandan fresh graduates doing an apprenticeship at the newly established Chinese TAILG Electric Vehicle Assembly Plant in the Gahanga Industrial Zone, Kicukiro District in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.

“I am grateful to be among a few lucky young Rwandans who are learning at work in the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) plant, an opportunity that is hard to get in other locally established similar plants,” he said.

After graduating in mechanical engineering from Integrated Polytechnic Regional College in Kigali, Iyambere applied twice for an internship at Ampersand and Volkswagen, which assemble electric motorcycles and cars respectively, but unfortunately, he did not get accepted.

Luckily, in 2021, he heard about the TAILG Electric Vehicle Assembly Plant, which he applied to, and was accepted in just three weeks.

The Chinese electric-vehicle maker is playing a key role in providing practical training to fresh engineering graduates, as well as supporting the country to shift to a sustainable, clean, and efficient transport system that is affordable and cost-effective.

An electric tricycle is parked in TAILG’s assembly plant in Kigali, Rwanda (ARAFAT MUGABO)

Apprenticeship and employment

“I had some skills in mechanics acquired at the school, but did not know exactly what is needed in the assembly, maintenance, and repair of an electric car or electric bike,” said Iyambere. “Honestly, I joined TAILG without any skill that would even enable me to repair a lithium-ion battery. In the beginning, it was embarrassing; but now after five months at TAILG, my workmates call me an expert.”

“I appreciate the help of Chinese experts who have been training us in the entire process of assembling and repairing while paying us a salary, and now we are soon going to move on to learn how to build lithium-ion batteries,” Iyambere said.

“I cannot imagine where I would have gained EV assembling skills had I not joined TAILG,” said Jean Damascene Kambere, another fresh graduate working at TAILG.

Kambere learnt that there is so much that goes into assembling, repairing and maintaining an EV and no one person can do all of it, hence, there are opportunities to work in the EV field.

“I have been working and at the same time learning different skills for six months, and am now confident that I can assemble a scooter without any assistance from trainers,” said Kambere.

“We are thankful to be among a few young Rwandans who have acquired the skills in the EV field, which are currently in high demand,” he added.

Kambere said that the reason he is very appreciative of the TAILG experts is that he has learnt more than what he had acquired even at school.

“If you were to learn how to assemble or maintain an electric car at school, you would need a thorough understanding of mechanical engineering and electrical engineering, which is almost impossible to achieve at once,” he said, adding, “We are happy to be able to learn both disciplines from the Chinese experts.”

Green push

Faustin Munyazikwiye, Deputy Director General of the Rwanda Environment Management Authority, said in a recent interview that Rwanda aims to reduce emissions by 38 percent, with EVs estimated to represent 9 percent of the potential energy-related emissions reduction under the country’s 10-Year Climate Action Plan.

“We want to have as many EV assembly plants as possible because our target is to end polluting cars, motorcycles, and other engine machines to achieve sustainable green transport,” said Munyazikwiye.

“It is a great honor to see the Chinese company TAILG join other EV assembly companies in the country,” Munyazikwiye said, adding, “We welcome any EV manufacturing company to invest in Rwanda’s green transport.”

Munyazikwiye said that Rwanda has good relations with China, “which is why we should not be surprised to see Chinese investors participating in Rwanda’s plan to become a developed, climate-resilient and low-carbon economy.”

According to Munyazikwiye, Rwanda is open to investors interested in entering this space in support of the country’s green economy plan that will later play an important role in creating green jobs for many unemployed young people.

Other Rwandan environmental experts that talked to ChinAfrica said that beyond the benefits of reduced air pollution and lowering greenhouse gas emissions, e-mobility will help cut the country’s reliance on imported fuel.

This will create a more stable, self-reliant economy as the country moves toward middle-income status.

Efficient and convenient

A mini-survey conducted by ChinAfrica among people who own electric cars, bikes, scooters, and tricycles from TAILG showed that their vehicles are more fuel-efficient than the usual gasoline ones.

“This is way efficient,” said Vincent Karangwa who owns a TAILG electric bike. “It is way easier to ride. In the electric bike, there is no clutch and gear to handle, you just have the throttle and brake.”

Karangwa says that the only thing a rider is focusing on while riding an electric bike is the brakes. That gives the rider even more control over the bike.

Tiger Hoo, TAILG Managing Director in Rwanda, said that their products are unique compared to other EVs already in the country.

He stressed that TAILG’s vehicles are exceptional. For instance, the cars they currently sell in the Rwandan market can be charged at home and there is no need to go to a charging station, which is limited in the country.

Hoo revealed that unlike fossil fuel-powered vehicles, the EVs produced by TAILG are powered by pure-electric motors that get energy from batteries.

“Our products will improve transportation in Rwanda because the EVs are designed in consideration of the country’s terrain,” Hoo said, adding, “This will support the Government of Rwanda to build a green transport system and realize zero emissions in its transport sector.”

According to a calculation by ChinAfrica, it costs $8 to fully charge a TAILG electric car and it runs for 200 km. However, for someone with a small gasoline car that uses at least 1 liter for 10 km, driving 200 km will costs about $29, which makes the electric car more affordable and cost-effective as well as environmentally friendly compared to fossil-fuel vehicles.

According to the Kenya-based Association for Electric Mobility and Development in Africa, Rwanda leads in the promotion of e-mobility through its recent raft of policy measures that include reduced electricity tariffs for EVs, zero VAT on EVs, exemption from import and excise duties and rent-free land for charging stations.

This article was first published in ChinAafrica magazine