Lilongwe City Council has bought three electric vehicles so its staff can keep working when petrol and diesel run short. The council unveiled them at the Civic Offices on Wednesday and said each cost K205 million, bought from Tsuyoshi Motors, according to its Facebook post.
The vehicles will be used to monitor projects funded by the Reformed Constituency Development Fund (RCDF), which pays for local projects in each constituency, and to support waste management and other council services. The council has also invited bids for 11 electric vehicles, closing on 23 November.
What the council says
Chief Executive Officer Clement Stambuli said the council cannot let fuel shortages stop its work, and that the vehicles will keep teams on the ground every day whatever the fuel supply. He said money saved on fuel and maintenance can go to other work, such as road repairs, street lighting and markets.
Tsuyoshi Motors managing director Trevor Kandoje said the vehicles will save the council 70 percent on fuel and maintenance. The council says it plans to move its whole fleet to electric over time. Malawi24 noted that this will depend on reliable electricity, charging points and battery care.
Questions about the price
Under the council’s Facebook post, readers have questioned the price rather than the switch to electric. The vehicles in the council’s photos carry the badge of Riddara, Geely’s electric pickup brand. In South Africa the same model, the Riddara RD6, sells new for R611,900 to R781,900 depending on the version, Cars.co.za reports. That is about K66 million to K84 million at today’s Reserve Bank of Malawi rate, before shipping and Malawi import duties. The council paid K205 million for each vehicle, about US$118,000.
Replying to one of those readers, Malawi Public Sector Reforms said the vehicles work out cheaper than petrol or diesel ones once fuel costs are counted, and that government buying looks at safety and durability, not just price, warning that a cheaper vehicle might have fewer safety features. The South African prices above are for the same model, up to its top version.
The council has not said what the K205 million covers, such as charging equipment, servicing or a warranty, or how the supplier was chosen.
A tender for 11 electric vehicles
A separate council tender dated 3 November asks suppliers for nine electric double cabin pick-ups and two electric 4×4 station wagons. Bidding documents cost K20,000 (non-refundable), paid at the FDH Bank service centre at the Civic Offices and collected from Room 114. Bids close at 10am on Monday, 23 November, and are opened in public at the same time.
Electric cars elsewhere in Malawi
The council is not the only one turning to electric. On 30 October, Sky Energy Africa announced 100 Geely EX2 electric cars for Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mzuzu, Zomba and Mangochi, with 40 public charging stations, including along the M1, Malawi24 reported.
If you still drive on petrol or diesel, check the latest MERA fuel prices before you fill up.
