A Tanzanian cartoonist, Masoud Kipanya, has unveiled what is said to be the East African nation’s first locally-made electric vehicle, BBC reported. The vehicle, which is named Kaypee Motor, was assembled with local materials.
For the electric vehicle to reach speeds of 50 to 60km, Kipanya said it needs to be charged for six hours. And though the vehicle is yet to legally hit Tanzania’s roads, Kipanya said he hopes authorities will grant him the necessary road-worthy credentials soon.
The cartoonist also said he assembled and developed the vehicle in the space of 11 months, adding that people still find it difficult to believe he’s the brain behind the project.
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“This is a very powerful car that comes with its own charger and it is user friendly,” he told BBC. “Let us not wait for foreigners to be doing these things for us.”
Kipanya said that though he had to dig deep into his pockets to develop the vehicle, he intends to sell it at a cheaper price so that porters and distributors can afford to buy it. He said the price will start from 8m Tanzanian shillings ($3,400).
He revealed the idea of developing an environmentally-friendly vehicle came into mind some nine years ago.
