A significant transformation is underway in Ghana's automotive landscape, driven by a surge in environmental consciousness and education.

According to a baseline survey conducted by the Energy Commission in 2022, about 54% of surveyed Ghanaians are inclined towards purchasing electric vehicles (EVs) over traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

Doris Edem Agbevivi, the Project Coordinator for the E-mobility Initiative at the Energy Commission, sheds light on this promising trend. She reveals that prospective EV buyers in Ghana are primarily motivated by factors such as anticipated financial savings from reduced fuel consumption, and affordable initial purchase costs.

Other factors include the presence of well-trained technicians and adequately equipped workshops for EV maintenance, a variety of EV models available in the Ghanaian market, and the ready availability of spare parts, among other considerations.

The survey reveals the price point at which potential Ghanaian EV enthusiasts are willing to invest. While global average price for an EV stands at $36,000, about 54% of prospective Ghanaian EV adopters are keen to spend below $20,000.

An additional 26% are prepared to allocate between $20,000 and $30,000, while 12% are willing to invest above $30,000 to $40,000, and 8% are open to spending beyond $40,000 for an EV.

However, the cost of EVs in Ghana faces an additional challenge due to various taxes imposed at the point of import, resulting in an increase of about 30% or more over the manufacturer's suggested retail price.

Doris underscores the survey's insights into the charging habits of current EV owners in Ghana. Notably, 50% of Ghanaian EV owners charge their vehicles at home, while 17% utilize public charging stations. A substantial 33% opt for a combination of home and public charging.

The driving force behind these choices is primarily economic, with almost 64% of EV drivers citing their intention to save money on fuel.

The survey also unveils the top five preferred EV brands among users in Ghana: Toyota Prius (33%), Tesla Model 3 (28%), Tesla Model Y (26%), Tesla Model S (24%), and Hyundai Kona EV (17%). Remarkably, nearly 46% of EV owners in Ghana typically travel between 1 and 50 kilometers per day for their errands, aligning closely with the average daily travel distance in the country.

However, the survey also highlights a critical challenge—Ghana faces a shortage of skilled technicians for EV servicing, maintenance, and repair.

Only three EV dealerships reported having functional service facilities with well-trained technicians. Nonetheless, several more dealerships express a willingness to venture into EV maintenance, given the appropriate training and support.

Doris Edem Agbevivi shared these insights during her presentation at a 2-day Ghana Climate-Compatible Growth (CCG) Network Inception Workshop held in Accra.

The workshop brings together about 40 experts from diverse fields, spanning energy, climate, and environmental domains. Participants include prominent institutions such as The Brew-Hammond Energy Centre at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), University of Energy and Natural Resources (UENR), Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, University of Ghana, and University of Energy and Sustainable Development.

Experts from renowned institutions like the University of Oxford, CSIR-Institute of Industrial Research, Ministry of Energy, Bui Power Authority, and the Energy Commission are actively contributing to the workshop's discussions.

This collaborative endeavor represents a crucial step towards leveraging CCG research for future economic growth, inclusivity, and fruitful collaborations. It showcases the potential for Ghana to lead the charge in sustainable and environmentally responsible mobility solutions, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change.