The new study, part of EU Horizon Europe-funded project OpenMod4Africa aims to support African countries in transitioning to electric mobility, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on costly fuel imports. OpenMod4Africa is coordinated by SINTEF, and the study itself was led by Swiss partner organisation EPFL.
The team looked at one city in particular, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to develop an innovative planning framework specifically tailored for African cities, where local mobility data is often limited. By simulating the daily movements and charging needs of 100,000 electric vehicles in Addis Ababa, the research scientists demonstrated practical pathways for managing the transition to electric transport.
Their analysis showed that charging location significantly influences electricity demand patterns. Charging at public locations, such as workplaces or commercial areas, can effectively distribute demand across the day, reducing strain on electricity grids. Additionally, integrating solar power with EV charging stations could allow cities like Addis Ababa to cover up to 80% of daily charging needs with locally generated renewable energy.
“The OpenMod4Africa project offers a valuable tool to policymakers and city planners, enabling informed decisions for sustainable urban mobility,” says project coordinator Ingeborg Graabak (SINTEF). “The project's findings and methods are designed to be adaptable to other African cities, supporting broader efforts toward cleaner and more accessible transportation across the continent.”
Beyond the electrification of transportation, OpenMod4Africa aims to provide African countries with open-access tools to plan future energy systems that are sustainable, reliable, and economically competitive.
The full details of this study have recently been made available in a scientific preprint which you can consult here: A modelling framework to support the electrification of private transport in African cities: a case study of Addis Ababa.
