Rwandan e-mobility company, IZI Electric, has unveiled a purpose-built 30-seat electric coach, Impala E30. The bus is engineered specifically for African operating conditions as it is the first commercial vehicle on the African continent to feature CATL’s revolutionary BC5 battery system.
According to a statement shared with Technext, the launch sets a new benchmark for electric public transport in Africa. It is also backed by an unprecedented 10-year/1-million-kilometer warranty. “This warranty is the breakthrough the market has been waiting for,” explained Alex Wilson, CEO of IZI Electric.
Until now, electric bus manufacturers have typically offered an average 4-year or 400,000-kilometre warranties, creating significant anxiety about long-term battery performance and limiting financing options. Our 10-year warranty fundamentally changes this dynamic, giving both operators and financial institutions the confidence to invest in cleaner, more economical transport”, he added.
IZI Electric is Africa’s leading provider of purpose-built electric vehicles, electric-vehicle leasing and e-mobility infrastructure. From fleet financing to charging solutions, IZI offers a comprehensive platform to accelerate the continent’s transition to clean, affordable transport.
Since launching in 2023, the company has mitigated over 195 tonnes of CO2, saved over 77,000 litres of diesel and driven over 220,000 kilometres.
The Impala E30 will join IZI’s leasing fleet in June, with initial deployment focused on intercity routes exceeding 400 kilometres per day. With over 50 units already ordered, IZI is rapidly scaling operations in Rwanda.
“The response to our 30-seater model has been overwhelming,” said Wilson. “The Impala is purpose-built for one of the continent’s most widely used vehicle categories, and we’re now receiving pre-orders from across the African market,” he concluded.
Game-Changing Economics
The economic case for the Impala E30 is even more compelling in Africa than in Europe or other developed markets.
With pricing expected to be 10-40% lower than equivalent electric vehicles from mainstream European and Chinese providers, the Impala E30 offers exceptional value while delivering premium performance and reliability tailored to African conditions.
A typical intercity bus travelling 200km daily in Africa consumes approximately $64 in diesel at current prices. By comparison, the Impala E30 requires just $8 on average in electricity to cover the same distance, based on electricity prices ranging from 3 to 13 cents per kilowatt-hour across markets like Zambia, Tanzania, and Ethiopia.
Over 10 years, the total operating cost savings are drastic when going electric:
- Diesel bus 10-year fuel cost: ~$233,650
- Impala E30 10-year fuel costs: ~$29,384
- 10-year savings per vehicle: over ~$204,266
This represents up to 87% saving on fuel costs over 10 years, transforming income for public transport operators.
Built for Africa, Not Adapted to It
Unlike imported models retrofitted for African roads, the Impala E30 has been designed to handle the continent’s diverse terrain and climate. It features:
- Marine-grade anti-corrosion materials to combat coastal salt exposure
- Reinforced waterproofing systems for tropical environments
- Optimised suspension for varied road quality, including unpaved roads
- Advanced thermal battery management system for high-heat conditions
Smarter Fleets, Lower Risk
Every Impala E30 comes equipped with IZI Connect, a sophisticated fleet management platform that provides operators with:
- Real-time monitoring of vehicle location and performance
- Predictive maintenance alerts that prevent breakdowns before they occur
- Driver behaviour insights to maximise range and safety
- Smart route optimisation based on energy consumption patterns
“Our integrated fleet management system is critical to improving operational efficiency,” said Wilson. “By providing real-time data on vehicle performance and driver behaviour, we’re helping operators extract maximum value from their investment.”
Designed for the Coaster Economy
The Impala E30 has been strategically positioned as a direct replacement for the Coaster, one of the most recognised and widely used vehicles across Africa. Coasters currently serve as the backbone of both urban and intercity transport systems throughout the continent, from airport shuttles in Nairobi and staff transportation for mining companies in Zambia to intercity services in Ethiopia and school buses in Rwanda.
“The Coaster has been the workhorse of African transport for decades, with over 100,000 in operation”, Wilson explained. “In Rwanda alone, there are over 1,000 diesel coasters in service. In Tanzania, they dominate intercity routes, while in Ghana, they’re the preferred choice for corporate staff transportation. We’ve designed the Impala E30 to seamlessly replace these vehicles with a zero-emission alternative that offers similar acquisition costs but dramatically lower operating expenses.”
“If we replaced just half of Africa’s existing diesel coaster fleet with the Impala E30, the continent would save over $1 billion in fuel costs every year and reduce carbon emissions by more than 2.7 million tonnes a year”, Wilson noted. “The economic and environmental impact would be extraordinary.”
Africa’s abundant renewable energy resources further strengthen the case for transport electrification, with countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda already generating over 80% of their electricity from renewable sources. This creates a uniquely favourable environment for electric vehicles that’s often more advantageous than in Europe or North America.
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