BasiGo unveils 320km-range electric bus designed by China's King Long

Kenyan electric vehicle company BasiGo has launched its second-generation e-bus, boasting a longer range, faster charging, and improved efficiency as it scales up production for East Africa’s public transport market.

The 54-passenger KL-9, designed by Chinese bus manufacturer King Long and assembled at the Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers plant in Thika, offers a range of up to 320 kilometres on a single charge, compared to 280 kilometres in BasiGo’s first-generation bus introduced in 2022.

The company says the new model can recharge fully in just two hours.

The bus is powered by a battery from Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) – the world’s largest battery maker and supplier to global EV giants including Tesla, Volkswagen, and BMW.

BasiGo says the technology, combined with its local service support, gives the KL-9 a 10-year or one-million-kilometre battery warranty, promising higher uptime and longer service life for operators.

“By moving to a higher-tier OEM, we are able to leverage their stronger research and development,” BasiGo Kenya Managing Director Moses Nderitu told Citizen Digital about having King Long as their new original equipment manufacturer.

“The new bus is much more efficient than its predecessor. The battery is smaller but offers an improved range, and the design makes it easier and faster to build, helping us scale production.”

Currently producing an average of eight buses a month, BasiGo plans to raise output to more than 20 units monthly in 2026.

The company, founded in 2021 by Jit Bhattacharya (CEO) and Jonathan Green (CFO), provides electric buses in Kenya and Rwanda under a pay-as-you-drive model. It says it already has 75 buses on Kenyan roads and over 100 units operating across East Africa.

In July, BasiGo began piloting 16-seater electric vans on the Nyahururu–Nyeri, Nyahururu–Nairobi, Nyahururu–Nakuru, and Thika–Nairobi routes. The firm says it has received over 100 reservations for the vans.

The start-up has raised more than $48 million in funding to date and is now partnering with local oil marketing companies to expand its DC charging station network.

“We are working with OMCs to expand our footprint by opening smaller partner sites where motorists can charge their vehicles, especially outside of Nairobi,” said Nderitu.