Electric vehicles are known for plugging in, but one African startup wants them to simply soak up the sun instead. Bako Motors is developing compact electric cars and cargo vans equipped with solar panels on the roof, allowing them to charge directly from sunlight and minimize reliance on wall sockets. While the concept of solar-powered EVs isn’t new, Bako’s focus on affordability and practicality sets it apart from flashier global startups, as it aims to deliver vehicles that truly fit Africa’s economic and energy landscape.
According to founder and CEO Boubaker Siala, Bako’s solar systems can supply more than half of a vehicle’s daily energy needs. The company’s commercial model, the B-Van, can gain around 50 km (31 miles) of driving range per day purely from solar power, or roughly 17,000 km (10,500 miles) annually without plugging in.
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The van can carry up to 400 kg (882 lb) of cargo and offers a total range of 100–300 km (62–186 miles), starting at about US $8,500. Its smaller sibling, the Bee, is a two-seat city EV with 70–120 km (44–75 miles) of range and a top speed of 44 km/h (27 mph), priced from around US $6,200. A third model, the X-Van, designed for two passengers and additional cargo, is currently under development.
More than 40% of Bako’s components are sourced locally — including steel frames and lithium-iron-phosphate batteries — supporting job creation and reducing import costs. The company plans to open a second, larger factory in 2026, which will increase annual production capacity to 8,000 vehicles and serve markets across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
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By merging affordability, local manufacturing, and solar-based charging, Bako Motors is carving out a niche that aligns with Africa’s climate and infrastructure challenges. In regions where range anxiety and unreliable electricity grids still limit EV adoption, Bako’s solar-powered vehicles could offer a practical path to energy independence — and a step forward in the continent’s transition to cleaner mobility.
