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Electric vehicles

Golden Arrow's Ambitious Plan to Ditch Diesel and Electrify its Fleet

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Golden Arrow Bus Services, South Africa's oldest transportation company, is making a significant push towards electrification with the launch of a mega-charging hub in Arrowgate. The company, which operated the country's first electric tram in 1896, is swapping thousands of litres of diesel for batteries, solar panels, and software. The new electric fleet, comprising 120 BYD B12 buses, represents over 10% of the 1,100-strong fleet and is a significant commitment to renewable energy in a country where electric mobility is still in its infancy.

Key Takeaways:

  • Golden Arrow has ordered 120 BYD B12 electric buses, which will represent over 10% of its 1,100-strong fleet.
  • The buses will be powered by a mega-charging hub in Arrowgate, which will be the largest charging depot in the country.
  • The fleet will be fully electrified by 2039, with 60 electric buses to be added every year.
  • The new electric buses will reduce diesel consumption by 98% and maintenance costs by 80%.
  • Golden Arrow is exploring ways to localise bus body manufacturing by using imported chassis with South African assembly.
  • The company has partnered with Eskom to coordinate an EV roll-out and renewable power procurement.
  • South Africa's Green Transport Strategy aims for 5% of all new state fleet purchases to be electric by 2050.

Statistics:

  • The new electric fleet will reduce Golden Arrow's daily diesel use from 390,000 litres to 7,000 litres.
  • The company can save around R359,000 in fuel costs per year.
  • The electric buses will pay for themselves over their 15- to 20-year lifespan due to fuel savings.
  • Golden Arrow has signed a memorandum of cooperation with Eskom to coordinate an EV roll-out.

Sources:

  • "Golden Arrow's Golden Arrow" article from [www.businesslive.co.za](http://www.businesslive.co.za) (no date mentioned)
  • "Over 18 months and 200,000km, the buses have proved themselves on Cape Town's routes" (no date mentioned)
  • "Cost analysis: diesel bus vs electric bus" article from [www.businesslive.co.za](http://www.businesslive.co.za) (no date mentioned)
  • GreenCape's initial cost benefit analysis (no date mentioned)
  • Stellenbosch University's Smart EV, (no date mentioned)
  • Arrowgate experiment's facility that can hold its own against global peers (no date mentioned)

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