Africa’s electric vehicle (EV) market is on a rapid growth trajectory, projected to reach $4.2 billion by 2030, more than double its current size. While most EVs rely on electricity from the grid — often a mix of renewable and fossil fuel sources — Tunisian startup Bako Motors is introducing an innovative twist: solar-powered vehicles.
Founded in 2021, Bako Motors equips compact cars and cargo vans with solar panels that charge lithium batteries directly. These vehicles can also be plugged into conventional outlets for recharging, but their solar capability allows drivers to harness free, renewable energy daily. Though production is still limited to roughly 100 vehicles, the company plans to scale operations and expand exports over the next year.
Boubaker Siala, CEO of Bako Motors, says the solar panels supply more than half the vehicle’s energy needs. “For our B-Van, daily solar power can provide energy for around 50 kilometers per day, which adds up to roughly 17,000 kilometers per year,” he explained.
Initially producing three-wheeled cargo vehicles, Bako Motors has now transitioned to four-wheeled models suitable for both urban commuting and commercial deliveries. The B-Van, with a cargo capacity of 400 kilograms, offers a range of 100 to 300 kilometers per charge and starts at about $8,500. Meanwhile, the Bee, a compact two-seater, is designed for short city trips, covering 70 to 120 kilometers per charge, priced at roughly $6,200.
Locally Made and Affordable
COO Khaled Habaieb revealed the company is working on a third model, the X-Van, designed for two passengers and larger cargo loads. Significantly, over 40% of the vehicle components are sourced locally, including steel and lithium-iron-phosphate batteries. This approach supports local employment and boosts Tunisia’s industrial capacity while keeping costs competitive.
While global startups like Aptera Motors are developing solar EVs with extensive coverage and higher ranges, they come with steep price tags, often exceeding $30,000. Bako Motors, by contrast, focuses on affordable, practical solutions for Africa, particularly for last-mile logistics and daily urban use.
Experts point out that solar-powered EVs help alleviate range anxiety, one of the main hurdles to EV adoption. Bob Wesonga of the Africa E-Mobility Alliance notes, “If a car can travel 250 kilometers on a battery and solar adds another 50, consumers feel confident switching to electric.”
Bako Motors is expanding its operations with a new factory in Tunisia set to open in late 2026, aiming to produce 8,000 vehicles annually for Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. The company targets capturing 5–10% of Africa’s potential one-million-vehicle market, anticipating the continent’s EV revolution will peak in the next five to ten years.
Siala emphasizes the importance of local, sustainable mobility: “Our mission is to provide affordable, reliable EVs for African citizens, preparing the region for the shift toward cleaner, greener transportation.”
