The green mobility startup in Dubai will demonstrate South Africa’s ability to develop, manufacture and scale electric vehicle solutions for the continent.
South African startup Green Scooter became the first mobility solutions company to launch an electric three-wheeler in the country in 2018. The company has two models: Zbee Cargo and Zbee RS, targeting consumers and businesses in the country. The world has spent the last two years recovering from the shutdowns caused by the pandemic.
The startup, with a team of five people and a fleet of over 70 scooters, sells all-electric vehicles and electric powertrain components and is one of the first companies in South Africa to do so.
The green mobility company presented its products at Automechanika 2023 in Dubai. Gulf Business spoke to Fezile Dlamini, founder and CEO of Green Scooter, about his journey, ambitions for the business and the challenges of expansion.
We are a South African Green Scooter company specializing in the design and manufacture of 3 wheel electric scooters. Our current product line includes the Zbee RS passenger scooter and the Zbee Cargo, a cargo-focused scooter. In addition, we will launch P-Two, which has attracted widespread attention in the Middle East.
The P-Two is the most advanced electric three-wheeler on the market, using advanced technologies such as solar power and power generation.
We believe that manufacturing across countries can serve three fundamental purposes: developing skills, creating jobs and reducing carbon emissions. By interacting with various stakeholders at Automechanika, we are exploring product distribution opportunities and potential manufacturing partnerships. This not only helps economic development, but also promotes industrialization and employment growth, which ultimately improves living standards.
We started from scratch and have been working for seven years and ten months. Starting a high-tech automotive company is no easy task. While we were in South Africa, we carried out a lot of concept testing and invested heavily in research and development. We are currently working with a local battery manufacturer on a project to develop home batteries that will be an environmentally friendly alternative to generators.
Our focus on the engineering value chain sets us apart, providing vertical integration and comprehensive in-house capabilities that are rare in the industry. South Africa is the gateway to Africa and we are committed to expanding and replicating our success in the Middle East.
Yes, our products are already on the market. We offer two models: the Zbee RS scooter, designed for passengers, and the Zb cargo scooter, designed for cargo. Our sales and exports are successful and we continue to develop battery technology, aiming to produce batteries for stationary and mobile applications. Africa is rich in natural resources and we are particularly focused on the battery industry, an industry with huge growth potential.
Q: What are the technical skills and raw material sources for your South African manufacturing center?
We have built a strong in-house manufacturing infrastructure using local raw materials for batteries. We work with government agencies, organizations and industry experts to ensure our policies align with our growth goals. In terms of skills development, we work with local educational institutions to develop a workforce that meets the needs of our industry. In addition, our efforts are supported by the South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and organizations such as FedEx and African Bank.
I originally founded the company with my own capital. As we grew, we received support from major sponsors. The South African Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, FedEx and African Bank played an important role in our journey. We also work with investors and venture capital firm AIONS. Their support helps us navigate the complexities of the business world. Although we have been on this path for almost eight years, our investors value our commitment to creating transportation solutions and expanding choice, continually building and shaping the future.
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Post time: Jan-10-2024