The Sunyani Technical University has stepped up its plans to assemble and produce electric vehicles as part of its medium to long-term plans to contribute toward Ghana’s industrialization agenda.
To this end, students of the Faculty of Engineering of the University have been taken through a day’s training workshop on electric vehicles as part of a series of activities aimed at equipping the students with the requisite knowledge and skills necessary for the realization of the University’s plan.
Also, the plan to assemble and produce electric vehicles is designed with a focus on establishing a centre for E-Vehicle technologies with well-equipped laboratory, which would serve as a centre of excellence in the manufacture of Electric Vehicles and its accessories as well as the training of students to acquire relevant skills and knowledge in Electric Vehicle technologies.
The workshop, under the theme: “Demystifying the Technologies behind electronic vehicles”, was organized in partnership with Solar Taxi Limited, a local firm which specializes in assembling and distribution of electronic motor-bikes, tricycles and vehicles.
In a message, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering of STU, Dr. Samuel Wiafe, said climate and emissions concerns had brought the adoption of Electric vehicles to the forefront in recent times.
According to him, governments of some of the biggest automotive markets around the world have not only declared their intentions but have taken bold steps to embrace electric vehicles as a major way of curbing emissions.
“France and the United Kingdom (UK) are looking to ban the sale of gas and diesel-powered vehicles beginning 2023 and completely by 2040. Norway plans to ban all but electric car sales by 2025. China, the largest auto market in the world has publicly started charting a plan for an all-out ban on vehicles powered by internal combustion engines”, he further said.
He added that it was time for Ghana and Africa to follow suit and “make plans towards embracing electric vehicles ourselves to harness our enormous solar energy potential productively to meet our climate emission targets while simultaneously providing clean and affordable means of transport.”
This, he noted, explained why the Sunyani Technical University “want to take the lead role in the realization of this dream. Besides, the use of electric vehicles will boost electricity sales and drive demand high enough to meet or exceed the current supply, paving the way for a sustainable energy sector.”
The Operations Manager of Solar Taxi Limited, Arnold Amoateng Anokye, stated that electric vehicles are not a new phenomenon and that it all began in the 1800s and has evolved to date.
He said his outfit was the first company to assemble an electric transport system in Ghana, adding that plans are on-going to expand its operations to all the 16 regions of the country.
Dr. Rajalingam Sakthivelsamy, the Head of Electrical and Electronics Department of STU, stated that the University envisaged that it could produce electric vehicles by 2030 and has signed MoUs with Solar Taxi Limited, Ghana and EVAFRICA (a joint initiative by Skill Shark edutech, India and Impact lane consult, Ghana).
He said students of his Department were currently working on two projects which seek to convert conventional wheelers to electric wheelers.
Dr. Rajalingam said two students of STU namely; Adraku Tawia Elijah and Anaba Moses emerged winners of this year’s edition of ECSTASY’21, an international technical symposium organized by Francis Xavier Engineering College, Tirunelveli, India.
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Office of Public Relations Unit
20th March, 2021