Energies, Vol. 18, Pages 6625: An Electric Vehicle Conversion for Rural Mobility in Sub-Saharan Africa

Energies, Vol. 18, Pages 6625: An Electric Vehicle Conversion for Rural Mobility in Sub-Saharan Africa

Energies doi: 10.3390/en18246625

Authors:
Daneel Wasserfall
Stefan Botha
Marthinus Johannes Booysen

Rural Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) faces limited transport options, with many dispersed settlements dependent on poorly maintained roads. Light delivery vehicles (LDVs) can improve mobility, but conventional internal combustion engine vehicles are costly to operate and contribute to emissions. Electric vehicle (EV) conversions offer a practical alternative by extending vehicle life and reducing energy, maintenance, and environmental costs. This study presents a simulation-based framework to guide LDV conversion design for rural SSA. The framework includes component sizing, subsystem modeling, and full-vehicle benchmarking under representative conditions. Scenario-based simulations include trips ranging from shorter local access routes to longer remote trips on both paved and dirt roads, allowing the conversion’s performance to be quantified under representative conditions. A sensitivity analysis indicates that road grade, aerodynamic drag, and rolling resistance are the primary factors driving energy use variation. Using the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP) drive cycle, the conversion energy consumption (∼217 Wh/km) comparable to that of commercial electric vans, though the range is reduced relative to its battery capacity. The framework establishes a benchmark for EV conversion performance in SSA and supports broader adoption of sustainable rural mobility solutions.