Our Project
Mbay Mobility is aiming to trigger a clean transport revolution in West Africa, by introducing electric vehicles and smart-software fleet management, starting in Dakar, Senegal.
Mbay will provide a clean, robust and smart mobility network to replace the old polluting taxis. The introduction of Mbay will decrease CO2, reduce the presence of toxic micro particles, and make transport flows more efficient in order to reduce congestion.
Pilot
Mbay will start a pilot with 10 electric vehicles and several medium and fast chargers from January 2022. The 10 electrical vehicles will be tested on car hardware, charging capabilities, acceptance by drivers, owners and clients, and tailored tracking and payment software. As well as this, several charging set-ups will be tested, including slower household charging and faster petrol station and garage charging. During the pilot two models will be tested. In the first model, the electric vehicles will be sold with a financing option to the current owners and they will continue to be responsible for the operation of the taxi, using the traditional street-hailing approach. In the second model, the electric vehicle will be sold to the patron and Mbay will rent back the vehicle to operate it with optimised app-hailing software.
Quantitative research
To prepare for the pilot and raise pilot funding, we have carried out several pieces of research. Our public benefit study carried out by the Oeconomia economic consultancy, has shown that adopting electric taxis in Dakar will lead to public benefits worth approximately $50m per year: $10m from reduced carbon emissions, $25m from reduced health costs associated to air pollution, and $14m from reduced congestion. Our financial analyses have shown that by switching from fuel to electricity, the taxis will save about $14 dollar per shift. This adds up to significant savings over time that more than justify the initial investment; total net revenue per electric vehicle taxi over a lifetime is between $80,000-$200,000 higher than for current fossil-fuel taxis, thanks fuel and maintenance savings.
Qualitative research
We have interviewed all the main stakeholders in the taxi sector, including the Government of Senegal, Dakar Transport Authority, clients, drivers, owners and citizens, and all are keen to adopt e-mobility because they see clear benefits. Public authorities are clear on the public benefits that will lead to reduced costs for them and improved quality of life for citizens. Owners can increase their earnings and image as modernisers. Drivers and clients will benefit from air conditioning and greater comfort. Dakar citizens will be able to breathe cleaner air and experience a multitude of health and related economic benefits.
By adopting e-mobility, the taxi sector and workforce will need to change and Mbay is positioning itself to facilitate this upskilling and knowledge-transfer, to ensure that Senegal’s mobility solutions keep up with the global switch to electric mobility.