What Place for Electric Vehicles as a Research Object and a Practical Alternative to Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles in Africa? Toward a Research Agenda Based on a Systematic Literature Review and a Census of Electromobility Projects

Abstract

The environmental crisis of global warming and rising oil prices have contributed to the spread of electric vehicles (EVs) since the 2010s. As the global EV fleet grows, a broad scientific literature on EVs is emerging. This literature, while abundant, is still concentrated on very limited geographical regions, mainly Europe, North America, and China, offering little analysis of, or comparison with, markets outside these areas, especially Africa. In both EV deployment and scientific production, Africa could seem to be lagging behind, yet there is some growing momentum for EVs in Africa. This paper examines the place of EVs as a research object and practical alternative to conventional vehicles in Africa. It is based on a twofold methodological approach combining a systematic review of scientific literature and an overview of electric mobility projects on the continent. The results reveal a growing interest in EVs in Africa over the past decade, in both publications and projects. Nevertheless, this growth masks strong disparities in the distribution of projects and papers. In addition, academic research is only weakly related to ongoing electric mobility projects in Africa, with few field experiments in the methodological approaches used by the authors, and, above all, several thematic aspects absent from EV research.

Research Journeys to Net Zero

“…Rising oil prices and environmental crises such as global warming have contributed to the spread of electric vehicles (Amedokpo & Boutueil, 2022). Simultaneously there is a need to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles in Africa.…”

“…Uganda hopes to achieve a technological leap in the automotive industry by developing a local EV industry (Amedokpo & Boutueil, 2022;Madanda et al, 2013). Uganda's state-owned nascent car manufacturer developed a 9-metre solar-powered electric city bus.…”

“…Wood & Mattson (2016) identify the lack of contextual knowledge as the leading cause of the failure of most designs in developing countries due to cultural and societal perceptions. The involvement of African researchers is more critical to exploring the electrification of mobility based on context-relevant literature stemming from a need to indigenise the technical aspects of EVs as well as the social, cultural, economic, and political values that are specific to the continent (Amedokpo & Boutueil, 2022;Collett et al, 2021). Research is needed to address the impact of EVs on the national grid to establish a long-term imple mentation strategy, build local knowledge about EVs, and adapt their designs (Amedokpo & Boutueil, 2022;Koberstaedt et al, 2018).…”

“…The involvement of African researchers is more critical to exploring the electrification of mobility based on context-relevant literature stemming from a need to indigenise the technical aspects of EVs as well as the social, cultural, economic, and political values that are specific to the continent (Amedokpo & Boutueil, 2022;Collett et al, 2021). Research is needed to address the impact of EVs on the national grid to establish a long-term imple mentation strategy, build local knowledge about EVs, and adapt their designs (Amedokpo & Boutueil, 2022;Koberstaedt et al, 2018). The industry needs its fast uptake of existing technologies so that what works best from research and industry can be harmonised and adopted at a policy level.…”