Transport is a significant emitter of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and air pollutants in most cities in Ghana. Road transport alone contributes 45.4% to total fuel combustion emissions and accounts for 13% of the overall national GHG emissions in 2016, showing a rising trend of 42% in the last ten years. Of the total road transport GHG emissions of 6,051.4 metric tonnes in 2016, buses account for 21%. Also, buses account for 17% of the total PM2.5 emissions in the country.
Transition to electric mobility presents an opportunity to re-draw the city’s emission and mobility pattern. City buses have a lifespan between 12-23 years, and therefore, today’s technological decisions will determine air quality and emission trajectories for decades to come. Although urban buses typically have lower CO2 emissions per passenger transported than private cars, they also account for about 1/4 of black carbon emissions from road transport. Hence, the project aims to promote climate resilience and green development by reducing GHG emissions from public transportation. Electrification of a bus is earmarked to be implemented on two major road corridors in Accra and the Accra-Kumasi.
