Kenyan e-mobility startup BasiGowhich aims to revolutionize the public transport sector by providing public transport bus owners with a cost-effective electric alternative to diesel, has been selected as one of the winners of the Keeling Curve Prize (KCP) 2022.
The Keeling Curve Prize awards $250,000 annually to projects that demonstrate proven carbon uptake, absorption, or sequestration efforts. Each year, the Keeling Curve Prize awards $25,000 to 10 projects and programs around the world with proven success in reducing, eliminating, avoiding or removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. The 2022 prize attracted nearly 400 applications. BasiGo was one of the winners in the transport and mobility category.
The prize is a program of the Project to limit global warming, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that identifies, activates and accelerates projects and programs worldwide that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon absorption. This includes direct funding of vetted organizations, strengthening networking and promotion efforts, identifying ways to unleash funding opportunities for climate solutions, and supporting climate justice.
This year’s KCP winners ceremony was held live in Darmstadt, Germany, as part of the Curious2022 Future Insight conference. GWMP Executive Director Jacque Francis announced the winners on stage with 2020 KCP laureate Lukas Mörchen from Generation Forest and 2019 KCP laureate Frederique Seidel from World Council of Churches.
Francis said: “Greenhouse gas emissions are driving the climate emergency. This can and must be tackled globally. Raising and investing in proven projects and programs is a valuable way the GWMP illuminates the landscape for a livable future.”
KCP winners are selected from a field of hundreds of applications, after going through a rigorous screening process conducted by the program’s impressive team of analysts. This year’s jury consisted of Kara Hurst, VP of Worldwide Sustainability at Amazon; Stephan Nicoleau of FullCycle; Ashwati Ramesh of Climate Angels Network; Paul Holthus of World Ocean Council; and other leaders in the climate space.
BasiGo’s innovative Pay-as-You-Drive program allows owners to purchase the K6 electric bus without having to pay for the expensive battery technology. This makes the initial cost comparable to a traditional diesel bus, according to their website.
- One-time daily subscription fee per kilometer driven
- Billed and paid directly between the operator and BasiGo
- Includes nightly battery charging
- Including all standard service and maintenance for the bus
- Free battery replacement in case of battery problem
- Includes dedicated customer service, roadside assistance, free software upgrades and more
Operators can purchase the K6 bus for about KSh 5 million ($46,000) and then pay KSh20 per km on the pay-as-you-drive model for battery and associated services ($0.18). The K6 is a 100% electric 25-seat bus designed by BYD Automotive, the world’s leading manufacturer of electric buses. The K6 has a range of 250 Km and a charging time of less than 4 hours. The full specifications of the bus can be found here†
Here’s the full list of the 2022 Keeling Curve Prize winners
KOKO networks is an international technology company that is a leader in clean ethanol cooking fuel and cooking products. It is based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Nitricity brings to market a breakthrough technology that produces fertilizer using only air, water and renewable energy. It is located in San Francisco, CA, USA.
Roof works to transform unsustainable supply chains, catalyze innovative solutions and sustain the world’s vital forests. It is located in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
waste zone envisions a zero-waste world by using a mobile app to connect recycling industries with households to process recyclable solid waste. It is located in Kigali, Rwanda.
Airline converts carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into alcohols that can be used to make everyday products such as hand sanitizers and spirits. It is located in Brooklyn, NY, USA
Symbrosia is working on a groundbreaking solution to dramatically reduce methane production from livestock around the world. It is located in Kailua Kona, HI, USA.
MEETS Coalition is a new approach to deep energy efficiency that extracts energy from commercial buildings. It is located in Seattle, WA, USA.
GreenMax Capital Advisers is a group of international clean energy investment advisory and management consultancies founded in 1994. It is headquartered in Brooklyn, NY, USA.
BasiGo Inc. is an e-mobility startup that aims to revolutionize the public transport sector by providing public transport bus owners with a cost-effective electric alternative to diesel. It is based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Enzinc Inc. is a zinc battery company that makes an advanced rechargeable battery for mobility and stationary use. It is located in Berkeley, CA, USA.
Images Courtesy of BasiGo
Do you appreciate the originality of CleanTechnica and the coverage of cleantech? Consider becoming one CleanTechnica member, supporter, technician or ambassador — or a patron on Patreon†
