BasiGo Expands Electric Bus Fleet to 52 Vehicles with Delivery of 18 New Intercity Coaches
Kigali, Rwanda – June 23, 2026 — BasiGo Rwanda announced the expansion of its electric bus fleet to 52 vehicles following the delivery of 18 new BasiGo i8 Intercity Coaches. The addition represents a 53% increase from the company’s previous fleet of 34 buses and marks a major step toward its goal of deploying 100 electric buses on Rwandan roads by the end of 2026.
The new coaches will serve long-distance routes connecting Kigali to Musanze, Rubavu, Huye, Rusizi, Nyagatare, and other major destinations, extending electric mobility across Rwanda’s intercity transport network.
Powered by CATL battery technology, each BasiGo i8 Intercity Coach offers a driving range of up to 400 kilometres on a single charge and is backed by a 10-year or one-million-kilometre battery warranty. The coaches can be recharged from 20% to 100% in as little as 1.5 hours using BasiGo’s DC fast-charging infrastructure.
Passengers travelling on the new electric coaches will enjoy enhanced comfort through reclining seats, onboard WiFi, USB charging ports, entertainment screens, and dedicated luggage space. These features position the coaches as not only a cleaner transport solution but also a premium travel experience.
To make electric mobility more accessible, BasiGo offers its buses through a Pay-As-You-Drive model that combines charging, maintenance, and technical support into a single mileage-based payment. The approach reduces the upfront investment typically required to adopt electric vehicles.
The company is also working with financial institutions to improve access to vehicle financing. Through a partnership with the Bank of Kigali, transport operators can access tailored financing solutions to support the purchase of electric buses and accelerate fleet electrification.
“The arrival of these 18 electric coaches demonstrates that the future of electric intercity transport in Rwanda is already here,” said Jones Kizihira, Managing Director of BasiGo Rwanda.
He added, “We are proud to offer transport operators a solution that combines premium passenger comfort, world-class electric vehicle technology, and an innovative financing model that makes electric mobility more accessible than ever.”
Cyprien Sibomana, Managing Director of SU Direct, said that since introducing BasiGo’s electric buses into its fleet, the company has experienced a significant reduction in operating costs, particularly fuel and maintenance expenses.
He said, “The strong performance of these buses on long-distance routes has given us confidence to continue investing in electric mobility.”
Beata Mukangabo, Head of the Transport Department at RURA, said at a recent intercity bus launch event that the initiatives are commendable and that BasiGo should be supported, especially by district authorities in identifying land for charging infrastructure to accelerate electric mobility across Rwanda.
She added that they appreciate BasiGo’s contribution to sustainable public transport and encourage operators to embrace the transition to electric mobility.
The fleet expansion comes as Rwanda continues to advance its efforts to build a cleaner and more sustainable public transport system. With electric buses increasingly proving their reliability on routes across the country, demand for zero-emission public transport continues to grow.
BasiGo’s long-term vision extends beyond Rwanda. The company aims to deploy 1,000 electric buses across East Africa in the coming years and already operates electric bus services in Kenya.
