Transport innovators push for wider adoption of electric buses, motorcycles

Organised by the Land Transport Regulatory Authority (Latra) under the theme “Green Transport and Innovation,” the event taking place in Dar es Salaam from November 24 to 29, 2025, has brought together local and international actors promoting sustainable transport models.

Among the innovations on display are electric motorcycles, electric tricycles, GPS-based combustion-management systems, and electric buses developed by both domestic and foreign companies.

Bus manufacturer Youtong is one of the companies displaying the latest technologies that will help curb climate change effects.

Youtong Tanzania project manager Rashid Wainuru told The Citizen on Monday that the company is deliberately introducing green mobility technologies to encourage the uptake of electric and gas-powered buses.

“We have brought this technology purposely to raise awareness and encourage our customers to purchase electric or gas-powered buses for the sake of environmental protection,” he said.

Mr Wainuru noted that several bus operators and related clients had expressed interest in acquiring electric buses. He said the firm expects at least five or six customers to purchase electric and gas models next year following ongoing awareness campaigns.

He cited one of the bus operators - Shabiby - as one of the firms that has already committed to acquiring the buses in 2026.

“Our main focus now is to ensure that charging systems are available in Dar es Salaam and Dodoma so that these buses can operate efficiently,” he added.

AG Energies Company Limited Tanzania assembly plant manager, Mr Livingstone Jacob, said the firm joined Sustainable Land Transport Week to showcase its e-mobility projects and highlight the potential of electric transport.

“We have brought electric motorcycles and electric tricycles. We came with this innovation because it concerns not only Tanzania but the entire world.

Shifting from traditional fuels such as diesel and petrol to e-mobility is part of finding solutions to the global climate crisis,” he said.

Mr Jacob stressed that climate change continues to affect Tanzania and other countries, largely due to emissions from transport vehicles.

“As a company, we are supporting global efforts and national policy by introducing e-mobility to the local market. This is the first time we are bringing these electric products to Tanzania, and our aim is to introduce them commercially.

If all goes well, we will consider bringing more electric vehicles, including IST models,” he said.

He added that public interest has been encouraging, with many people enquiring about how the products function.

“People are very eager to own electric tricycles and similar vehicles,” he said.

Mr Jacob also revealed that AG Energies plans to begin assembling electric vehicles locally.

“We have already started assembling some units, but our long-term goal is to manufacture electric vehicles here in Tanzania, only importing essential technologies,” he said.

Meanwhile, JREE Environment Limited Sales and Marketing Officer Noreen Salim demonstrated a combustion-optimiser device designed to improve fuel efficiency and cut harmful emissions.

“The device is installed inside the vehicle’s fuel tank or machinery. It generates electromagnetic waves that enhance the combustion process within the engine,” she said.

One of the companies that provide transport management services, JB Megatronics (Pty) Tanzania Limited showcased fuel-control systems, which are increasingly being installed in cargo trucks and private vehicles to monitor fuel usage and curb wastage.

The company’s director, Mr James Saninga, noted that the technology has helped businesses track fuel consumption and enhance accountability, especially in cases where drivers have been less than transparent. The system, which has been in use in Tanzania for six years, has already been installed in numerous lorries.