Failing Forward

Attempts have been made in West Africa and Australia to come up with an “Africar”.  The prototype really looked like a utility vehicle and its body was made from wood fibre.  So far, they have failed.  One reason appears to have been industrial espionage, borrowing technology without permission.

In 2005 in South Africa, Optimal Energy was co-founded by four EV enthusiasts.  It unveiled its first prototype in October 2008 at the Paris Motor Show.  The “Joule” was a five-door, four-seat Joule hatchback.  The Joule could accelerate from standstill to 60km/h in about five seconds and boasted impressive energy efficiency.  But it only had a range of 150 kms.  While Optimal Energy’s operations eventually scaled up to 100 staff and saw the company complete four working prototypes over the next four years, the company failed to secure the funding to bring its products to market.  The company was shut down in 2012.

Over the years, Toyota has introduced other distinct brandings like Lexus and Scion.  They are built by Toyota but marketed as a separate brand.  Lexus succeeded but Scion was discontinued.

This Safricar initiative seeks to influence competitors to use hydrogen hybrid and biofuels.  

Another feature is to use the electric hybrid fitted on the engine to charge an extra storage battery for uses external to the Safricar (e.g. home use, camping, work sites, etc).  In other words, not to burn more coal to charge your home-use battery, but to charge it by burning biofuels – while your Safricar is in motion.  Your car serves as your generator, whenever it is in acceleration mode.  Otherwise, when it switches into regenerative braking mode, it is driven on by its own 48-volt alternator serving as an electric motor. This saves even more on fuel consumption and increases your engine’s life.

The twin battery design is quite unique (one internal the other for external use).  It is especially suited to commercial farmers and trades that use electric tools in the field.  It is an example of a feature that meets African realities.  It is particularly and peculiarly suited to South Africa, the land of load-shedding.  

A second on-board removable battery would make little sense in vehicles manufactured in countries where electricity is abundant, clean and reliable.

In such countries – by 2030 – the internal combustion engine is going to be phased out.  Alternatives like EVs are conceivable in countries that have abundant supplies of clean energy.  South Africa does not enjoy that profile, so this initiative allows the ICE to remain “cool”.