Ghana wants to promote the use of electric vehicles, but a lack of infrastructure is hampering this development, writes Philip Akrofi Atitianti.
Faced with the growing threat of climate change, the quest for sustainable transportation makes electric vehicles (EVs) an attractive alternative to internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. Ghana has one of the highest EV adoption rates, and the market is dominated by Chinese brands.
The growing appeal of Chinese EVs in Ghana is partly explained by their relatively lower cost. Partnerships have also been formed with leading local companies such as SolarTaxi and Kofa. SolarTaxi imports the parts needed to assemble electric two- and three-wheelers, buses, and compact cars from Chinese EV manufacturers such as BYD, Cherry, and Dongfeng. Kofa, in partnership with TAILG Group, supplies the Jidi motorcycle to the Ghanaian market.
Despite the promising future of EV adoption in Ghana, significant challenges are hampering its progress. While environmental concerns support the adoption of electric vehicles, they are hardly a priority for the average Ghanaian buyer. Recent studies reveal that the most important criteria for Ghanaians when purchasing an electric vehicle are the availability of charging infrastructure and repair shops. These are the infrastructure requirements that must be considered for the Ghanaian electric vehicle market to reach its full potential.
Status of Electric Vehicle Charging and Maintenance Stations
As of the end of 2023, Ghana had approximately 17,000 electric vehicles in circulation, including approximately 1,000 four-wheeled electric vehicles. The primary source of charging for most electric vehicle users is home chargers, supplemented by a limited number of public charging stations. Despite the government’s plan to install 1,000 charging stations by 2028, a 2024 UNDP report revealed that Ghana only has seven public charging stations, all located in Accra. Recently, Charge Express, a local electric vehicle company, installed a charging station with four additional outlets, also in Accra. Even in the capital, the distribution of these charging stations is not wide enough to provide easy access to users scattered throughout Accra’s neighborhoods. As a result, the primary charging source for most EV users remains home chargers, limiting the vehicles’ range and therefore their usefulness.
The current state of public charging stations makes travel outside Accra virtually impossible. In Ghana, current EV users can, at best, travel within the capital. The majority of EVs on Ghanaian roads are two- and three-wheelers, primarily used for delivery services and the transportation of passengers and goods. To ensure the efficiency of these services, users will need easy access to public charging stations or battery swapping stations.
Although slightly more expensive than home charging, public charging is essential for commercial vehicles and long journeys, or for future EV owners who cannot install home charging stations. Moreover, the high cost of electricity for households and businesses in developing countries like Ghana could make public charging stations a relatively affordable option thanks to economies of scale, where infrastructure costs are spread across many users and charging sessions, resulting in a lower unit cost. This financing is particularly advantageous when provided through blended financing schemes, including public-private partnerships, concessions, and public-private partnerships.
Ghana is currently facing intermittent electricity supply issues, particularly outside major cities. While solar systems are a promising energy source for electric vehicles, their scalability remains uncertain without government policy support and long-term investment. Therefore, government policies that exempt consumers from the costs associated with adopting electric vehicles can stimulate the transition to them. In 2024, Ghana’s Ministry of Finance proposed eight-year import exemptions for the local assembly of electric vehicles and the importation of electric buses for commercial public transport. This measure has not yet been implemented.
The maintenance market is still lagging behind.
