Inkamva Consulting firm, a leading public transport consulting firm has partnered with FixEv to conduct a real time market research study on the feasibility of introducing Electric Minibus Taxis into the South African taxi industry.
Passengers in an electric mini bus taxi in Soshanguve
The first real time feasibility study was conducted on 9 September 2025 at the Oakmor Taxi Rank in Tembisa and the second one was conducted at the YWCA in Soweto on 17 September 2025 while the third such event was conducted on Thursday 18 September at the Soshanguve Taxi Rank in Tshwane.
Speaking to Tshwane Talks at the launch of the feasibility study into Electric Minibus Taxis in Soshanguve on Thursday, Deputy Director of Environmental Coordination Andries Ntjane said the following:
Electric mini bus taxi
“As people from the National Department of Transport dealing with the green transport strategy and our task is to make sure that all the standards that will be implemented regarding the Electric Minibus Taxis adhere to the laws set out by the government via the DTI, the Department of Forestry and Fisheries as well as the Department of Transport.”
He said their role is merely that of observers and that taxi vehicles belong to the owners who are the ones who know the spec and what is required in a vehicle for it to function fully as a minibus taxi and it is up to them as minibus taxi users to check whether configurations are in line with what they want as regards the number of passengers they can load, durability, safety aspects and also as to how the Electric minibus taxis will benefit them as owners and the public in general.
Officials and taxi association standing next to an electric Mini Bus Taxi
“Our task has to do with the reduction of carbon emission,” said Ntjane.
“We expect Ikamva to come and meet with us as the Department of Transport at a later stage so that we can offer them support where they are experiencing shortfalls,” he said.
Hammanskraal Taxi Association David Letebele Tlailane told Tshwane Talks that the electric minibus taxis will solve the problem of injectors in vehicles that use diesel and both drivers and passengers will love these electric vehicles as they don’t make a lot of noise when driven.
SANTACO Tshwane Regional Secretary Maria Mashadi Ntuli told Tshwane Talks that she was happy to witness the real time feasibility study conducted by Ikamva regarding the possible introduction of Electric Minibus taxis in the industry.
“This initiative will help us save money regarding petrol and diesel costs and although the drivers are saying the electric vehicle doesn’t have the speed that they require, I am saying the vehicle is good for scholar transport and short local operations,” she said.
“To our passengers we are saying that with these Electric Minibus taxis we are transforming and we would like them to transform with us and they must come and ride the new electric minibus taxis as they will save costs for passengers and drivers alike,” she said.
Soshanguve Taxi Owners Association (SOTOA) McKid Mogale said he has driven the new Electric Minibus taxi but that though it is a good car, there are several improvements that still need to be made.
“It will take some time for us as drivers to fully understand how the car actually functions and this is the case with any other car but I welcome the introduction of the Electric Minibus taxi vehicle as it will boost our income as taxi drivers,” said Mogale.
“The Ikamva Electric Minibus taxi is an idea that supports what all governments throughout the world, including South Africa are supporting; namely the green economy, the green transport strategy which has been adopted by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy and the Electric Minibus taxis will save taxi operators a lot of money regarding costs because petrol and diesel take up to half of their earnings,” said CEO and founder of Ikamva Consulting firm Matsidikanye Moswane, which is the company that has come up with the idea of an electric minibus taxi vehicle.
He conceded that the eventual introduction of the electric vehicles is still at its early stages as they are still learning a lot from their feasibility study by spending time with drivers and passengers.
He said more role players still have to be roped in to finally bring the project to fruition.
He said though the electric vehicles will save costs to operators, he was mindful of the fear factor or the fear of the unknown among operators who might at this stage be reluctant to use the vehicles.
Taxi driver Bheki Ngomana said he is happy to test drive electric mini bus and he can’t wait the final product
Another driver Sibusiso Maepa said the electric mini bus taxi will help them safe a lot on petrol and as drivers they will make more money in their pocket and can’t wait
Passengers who also were inside the electric mini bus taxi said they can’t wait for the car to be available and it’s safe, and reliable.