In December 2023, BasiGo introduced its electric bus pilot in Rwanda, quickly attracting strong demand from transport operators, including Volcano Express. On March 8, 2025, in Muhanga District, the company officially launched its electric buses for inter-city and provincial travel.
This project aligns with the Government of Rwanda’s long-term vision for sustainable development, as outlined in the National Strategy for Transformation (NST2) and Vision 2050. The government aims to electrify 20% of its public bus fleet by 2030 to reduce air pollution, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and modernize public transportation.
At the launch, 12 brand-new electric buses were deployed and will be operated by Volcano Express along the Kigali–Muhanga route.
Jit Bhattacharya, CEO and Co-Founder of BasiGo, expressed pride in the company’s expansion to the provinces in just 16 months, and remains ambitious for the future.
“We aim to make every bus in Rwanda electric,” he stated.
Bhattacharya also urged other transport operators to embrace electric mobility:
“Electric buses offer lower risk and higher income. Ultimately, this is about making money while providing cleaner, more modern transport for passengers.”
Commuters between Kigali and Muhanga welcomed the innovation and shared their excitement with ICK News, expressing confidence in the buses’ comfort and technology.
“My children used to vomit all the time because of the smell from old diesel buses. But now, I believe they will enjoy the journey,” said Niyitega Venancie.
Another commuter, Ndayambaje Olivier, expressed optimism about the improved travel time:
“We heard that these buses are non-stop. That means there will be no more delays; we will finally reach our destinations on time.”
However, some passengers also raised questions about the reliability of the electric buses on longer routes.
Responding to those concerns, Diane Habarugira, Sales Manager at Volcano Express, assured the public of the buses’ performance and purpose.
“We introduced these buses to improve the travel experience for our customers. We would never bring something that isn’t up to standard.”
She explained that each electric bus can travel up to 300 kilometers on a single charge, making it possible to reach destinations such as Kigali, Huye, or Nyanza without needing to stop and recharge.
“Each bus is equipped with 44 seats, air conditioning, spacious legroom, USB charging ports, and free Wi-Fi,” she added.
BasiGo has committed to deploying 100 electric buses across the country in 2025, which is expected to reduce carbon emissions by an estimated 3,000 tons annually while creating hundreds of jobs for locals.
The company is also expanding its operations in other provinces of Rwanda. To support these operations, BasiGo is currently installing a DC fast charger in Muhanga to enable efficient vehicle turnaround and reliable performance on long-distance routes.
