In North Africa, a solar-powered city car is reshaping the region’s electric mobility landscape. Bako Motors, a Tunisian startup founded in 2021 by engineer Boubaker Siala, has introduced a compact electric vehicle that leverages sunlight to overcome two major EV adoption hurdles: cost and charging infrastructure.
Solar-Powered Simplicity
The company’s flagship model, the Bee, is a lightweight, two-seater city car equipped with rooftop solar panels. While its primary power source is a standard battery charge, the solar roof allows it to top up passively during the day, ideal for Tunisia’s 3,000+ hours of sunshine per year. The Bee delivers a driving range of 70–120 km per charge, with solar panels adding extra daily mileage for short urban trips.
A cargo-focused variant, the B-Van, offers the same solar-charging capabilities and can carry up to 400 kg, targeting small businesses and urban delivery services.
Built for Affordability
Bako Motors is prioritizing accessibility. With a starting price of approximately 18,000 Tunisian dinars (≈ $6,000 USD), its models are far more affordable than imported EVs. This price point is designed to make sustainable transport attainable for both individuals and businesses across Africa.
Scaling Up: From Tunisia to the Region
Production is set to ramp up to 8,000 vehicles annually by 2026, with plans to expand into markets like Morocco, Egypt, and southern Europe. This aligns with the increasing demand for affordable, clean transport in regions where electricity grids remain unstable and public charging infrastructure is limited.
Why It Matters
Tunisia’s climate offers an ideal testing ground for solar-integrated EVs. With sunlight as a near-constant resource and growing urban mobility needs, the Bee represents a practical path toward sustainable transport in Africa.
Bottom Line
In a region long tied to fossil fuels, Bako Motors is lighting the way for solar EV adoption. Its small-scale innovation—the Bee and B-Van—could signal a big shift toward cleaner, more accessible urban transport across Africa.
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